With much hope heading into the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, it only resulted in disappointment and a potential nightmare scenario for the Utah Jazz. Instead of entering the 2025 NBA Draft in a position to select one of the potential generational talents of this year’s class, the Jazz will now have to pivot with their selection falling to No. 5 overall.
In many ways, the argument can be made that the No. 5 overall pick is one of the worst places to be in the lottery. With Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, and V.J. Edgecombe all but locked into the top 4 picks, the Jazz will have huge pressure on their shoulders as they have to make the first big move of the draft.
The Jazz controls how the rest of the top 10 will fall, but there’s no question that missing out on one of the top 4 picks in this year’s class will truly be gutting, especially if this year’s class does reach their potential. But even trying to make the most out of the situation will be difficult for the Jazz. With plenty of uncertainty outside the top 4, Utah will certainly have its hands full with this decision over the next month.
The Utah Jazz misses out on a generational talent
There’s so much uncertainty in this year’s draft class outside the top 4 that the argument can be made that there may not be much difference between the No. 5 pick and the No. 14 selection. In a vacuum, the No. 5 pick obviously holds more value, especially on the open market, than the 14th pick.
However, at that point, you’re probably splitting hairs between prospects. For example, let’s say Tre Johnson or Khaman Maluach is considered the fifth-best prospect in this year’s draft class. I wouldn’t say there’s a huge difference between either one of those prospects compared to Derik Queen, Thomas Sorber, or Jase Richardson, who are similar players that are going to be taken in that 10-14 range.
That’s the true disappointment that the Jazz has to be feeling. Utah could’ve found themselves in a position to take a truly generational talent, one who could’ve completely changed the culture around this franchise. Now, they’ll have to settle for a prospect who could still be very good, but certainly not a “can’t-miss” prospect that they probably would’ve been able to get had they finished one spot higher on lottery night.
The Jazz shouldn’t be completely discouraged after what transpired on NBA Draft Lottery night, but there’s no question that expectations should be tempered now that they’ll be selecting outside the top 4.