As the classic phrase goes, Just because you can doesn't mean you should. The Utah Jazz have the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Sure, like anyone else, they would prefer the No. 1 pick, but with how talented this draft class is, they should be perfectly fine staying where they are. Especially with what it could cost to trade up.
The Athletic's Josh Robbins revealed that the odds of Washington trading down is low, and if they were to do that, Utah would have pay quite a premium on it.
"I believe Washington is unlikely to make any trade that would prevent it from drafting its final preferred candidate.
"I think a trade with the Jazz would occur only if the Wizards could ensure that their preferred choice would be available at No. 2. Then, such a deal would almost certainly need to have significant additional value attached to the Jazz’s incoming pick, most likely Ace Bailey and some future draft capital. Whether Utah’s front office would be willing to include Bailey in a potential deal pick is an additional question entirely," Robbins wrote.
A hypothetical package was brought up the other day explaining precisely why this is a problem. Would Utah like to move up if they had the chance? Yes, but at the price of the No. 2 pick and Bailey?! For what it's worth, this is the smart play by the Wizards. Of course, they'll only trade down if they both get a favorable package with no caveats.
But it's for that reason that the Jazz have no reason to play into their hands.
The prospects in the top three are simply too good for this to be necessary
The consensus going on is that AJ Dybantsa will be the No. 1 pick in the draft. Even then, more intel suggests it's not etched in stone that he will. Not because there's something wrong with him, but because Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer are pretty much on the same level as him.
I've said it throughout the process: I don't think the top-3 in this draft class is as clear-cut as folks make it with AJ, then Peterson, then Boozer.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) June 10, 2026
All the teams at the top are doing a ton of due diligence on all of these players. It's a razor-thin margin between them, IMO.
So why even take that risk? This draft class has three (arguably four) can't-miss prospects that can change a franchise's fortunes around. What makes that prospect even better is that Utah is already going to be an excellent team on the precipice of adding a young game-changer who is sure to factor into a glorious future.
To have that and Ace Bailey on team-friendly contracts for the next few years? How is the alternative of trading both of those for the No. 1 pick better? It isn't. The Jazz have no reason to overthink this situation. Hell, they should be thrilled they kept their pick in the first place.
Staying at No. 2 isn't just the smart choice. It's the logical choice.
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