KSL.com/Salt Lake City The Utah Jazz were expected to have an easy week.
The goal of a losing season was to find the team’s next great player, the one who could finally put an end to what has seemed like a protracted reconstruction.
That would have been easy if he had been selected first, but things become a little more difficult at number five.
Ryan Smith, the owner of the franchise, stated, “If we draft at No. 5, we’re going to be a great player.” That seems to have been rather overlooked in all of this. Even though everyone was sad that they didn’t have the first choice, I believe that the talent in this draft may not be discussed enough.
Here are a few examples of the talent that might be selected at No. 5 in this week’s Jazz draft.
Wing, Ace Bailey, Rutgers
Bailey might be the person you’re looking for if you want to try your hand at a star.
Despite some (at best) dubious shot selection, he had an excellent pull-up game at Rutgers. He was able to create space to get shots up because to his sophisticated footwork and several combo techniques.
However, he didn’t require much of it.
Among college basketball’s top tough-shot creators was Bailey. It was quite difficult for defenders to stop him because of his high release and excellent balance. He also demonstrated that he is effective without the ball by shooting 39% on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers.
When asked who he bases his game on, Bailey mentioned T Mac (Tracy McGrady), Paul George, Jayson Tatum, and KD (Kevin Durant). However, I also recognize some Melo (Carmelo Anthony) in me. When we make shots, we all follow the same procedure. We can, after all, shoot over defenders, make our own space, and so on.
What’s the catch, then?
One of the draft’s most divisive players was already Bailey. Right now? Boy, ooh boy.
There are rumors that his camp is attempting to arrange a fall down the board to a desired destination because he has yet to work out for any NBA teams.
NBA decision-makers have a negative opinion of this peculiar tactic.
Our opinion: Bailey, who is still only eighteen, seems to have gotten some terrible advice that could cost him millions of dollars if he drops from third to sixth place.
We’re taking a positive view here, so you might be able to say the same thing about his game as well.
He did a lot of long, contested midrange pull-ups as part of his harsh shot diet. Despite his length and bounce, he hardly ever attacked the rim. He lacked effort on the defensive end and made erratic decisions. He didn’t make the most of his tools, to put it briefly.
Was coaching involved? Inadequate distance? Or anything more dangerous?
He might wind up as the draft’s second-best player or he might force a general manager to resign. However, he might be worth the risk for a team like the Jazz, who are still searching for a blue-chip cornerstone.
When asked if he would be drafted by the Jazz, he responded, “I’m blessed just to hear my name if I go one, or if I go six.” It’s a delight just to hear my name uttered.
Baylor, VJ Edgecombe, and Guard
Edgecombe may be among the safest options available, although Bailey is regarded as risky.
Although he may not have Bailey’s ceiling, he has a higher floor thanks to his combination of athleticism, motor, and adaptability. He is a versatile defender, a skilled shooter, and a high flyer.
He has moved up the draft boards and is currently ranked as high as No. 3 in part because of his dependability.
He was a formidable on-ball defender at Baylor, stopping drives and routinely beating ball handlers to areas. He had good hand-eye coordination, was at ease switching between screens, and was in zone.
He continued to make plays and dove on the ground for loose balls. He was one of the few elite prospects who desired to be perceived as an energetic player.
He was constantly threatening to give a highlight-reel finish, and his athleticism really showed on the offensive end.
Over the season, his shot also got better. During conference play, he made about five 3-point attempts per game, largely catch-and-shoots, but he also showed signs of pull-up ability. He shot 39% from 3-point range.
What’s not to like, then?
At six feet four, he lacks the size of a wing but also the handle of a lead guard.
At Baylor, he had trouble with double teams and wasn’t very good at creating shots. Additionally, he struggled with his left hand, which is where the majority of his misses around the rim came from.
He might not ever project to be a true star, but you can probably pencil him in being a top-50 player and one that can really impact winning.
Tre Johnson, Texas Guard
Johnson will enter the NBA with a bona fide NBA skill: shooting. He hit nearly 40% from 3-point range as a freshman, and did it in every situation.
44% are in transition.
Catch-and-shoot? 41%.
Pull-ups? 38%.
His shot looks the part, too great balance, the same form every time, simple mechanics. That shooting will translate to the league.
He also showed signs of a being playmaker (not much, but enough to feel OK about that part of his game) as the season progressed.
Anything concerning?
Johnson s biggest issue is his ability to get to and finish around the rim; he s not very strong or very explosive. He took just two attempts per game at the rim and made under 50% of his shots around the basket.
The lack of true drive game limits his potential as a playmaker, too; and if he can t figure that out, his ceiling shrinks considerably.
Defensively, Johnson was a bit indecisive at Texas. He wasn t a glaring negative, most times; he was just kind of there. He was often in the right spot, just didn t do much after that.
That, again, was mostly a strength issue.
Still, he can flat-out shoot, and that s a pretty good place to start.
Kon Knueppel, Wing, Duke
Like Johnson, Knueppel is one of the best shooters in the draft. He hit 41% of his 3-pointers as a freshman, including 43% on catch-and-shoots, and he s good at finding those shots.
Knueppel was elite at coming off screens (he hit 38% of his 3s coming off screens) and relocating around the perimeter to free himself up for clean looks.
That shooting prowess, combined with the ability to consistently make basic reads, has some excited about what he may become at the next level with NBA spacing.
He was good as a pick-and-roll ball handler at Duke, especially when he got into the second level of the defense. When he got inside, he had a feel of where the defense was tilting.
Any reason not to pick him?
Most of the concerns surrounding Knueppel s game are based on his athleticism. He has very little vertical burst, he s not explosive off the dribble, and feels heavy-footed defensively.
Will he be able to maintain an advantage against faster players? Will he be swallowed up at the rim against NBA shot blockers? Can he survive defensively against the elite wings of the league?
Those are legitimate questions.
But his year at Duke showed he is much more than a shooter, too.
Jeremiah Fears, Guard, Oklahoma
Fears was one of the youngest freshmen in college basketball, and yet he was still asked to do more than just about anyone else.
He led Oklahoma in scoring (17.1 PPG) and assists (4.1 APG) with the highest usage rate among freshmen.
His burst was elite at Oklahoma he was one of the quickest players in the class and he constantly got into the paint. Once there, he showed he can change speeds and keep defenders off balance.
There are a lot of ifs, though.
If he becomes a more consistent shooter (he was 28% from 3-point range)
If he can be a better playmaker
If he can stay in control at full speed
If he can get stronger
But if it all clicks, he has the makings of a lead guard.
