KSL.com/Salt Lake City When it comes to the Utah Jazz drafting a great player with a top-five pick in the NBA draft, history is not favorable.
Only five times since leaving New Orleans in 1979 has the team selected in the top five. Deron Williams in 2005 and Darrel Griffith in 1980 both made important contributions to the team’s accomplishments.
When the Jazz select the fifth pick this year, let’s hope it works out.
Because of the Rudy Gobert deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves years before, the Jazz, who had the worst record (17-65) in their franchise history, received the No. 5 pick to pair with No. 21.
Dominque Wilkins (ranked third in 1982), Enes Kanter (ranked third in 2011), and Dante Exum (ranked fifth in 2014) were the other five top picks. While Kanter and Exum were definite busts due to their respective incapabilities to live up to the high selection status, Wilkins was traded off for financial reasons to keep the team alive in those early days.
Even Williams, who spent five whole seasons with the Jazz before being traded in the middle of his sixth season, wasn’t the greatest choice for his position. Chris Paul, a fellow point guard who just finished his 20th NBA season, was selected by the New Orleans Hornets at number four, one spot behind Williams.
Paul, a 12-time All-Star and former rookie of the year, is guaranteed to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He participated in all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurts, who were rebuilding, last season at the age of 40.
Despite his success with the Jazz, Williams’ most well-known conflict was with coach Jerry Sloan, which may have contributed to Sloan’s decision to retire four days prior to the frequently irate Williams’ trade to the New Jersey Nets. Williams retired in 2017. A number of years ago, the player and the team reconciled.
For better or worse, none of the top five picks that were squandered were the fault of the current Jazz leadership. The responsibility now rests with the new leadership, which includes owner Ryan Smith, CEO Danny Ainge, and his son Austin, who was just appointed director of basketball operations.
Though his father and general manager Justin Zanik will also provide expertise, Smith has appointed the younger Ainge as the leader, his first position of that kind. As the Boston Celtics’ top executive, the older Ainge has a lengthy history of making good draft selections.
The Jazz, who had three selections each of the previous two seasons, have four picks this season, including two in the second round. The top two selections, Cody Williams at No. 10 last year and Taylor Hendricks at No. 9 in 2023, have not yet shown that they are deserving of their draft position.
Hendricks missed the most of the previous season due to a fractured leg. Hendricks played in both the G League and the Jazz during his rookie season. During his debut season, Williams frequently appeared outmatched. His brother, Jalen, was a star for the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in this month’s finals.
The Jazz, who are in the middle of a three-year rebuilding process, probably can’t afford to lose at No. 5 this week. Although they probably won’t know who is available until after the fourth pick, they will have an opportunity to get a solid player.
The draft will be exciting, starting with the Philadelphia 76ers at three, as the Dallas Mavericks are certain to select Cooper Flagg with the first pick, followed by Dylan Harper to the San Antonio Spurs.
With the right offer, the Sixers, a seasoned squad in win-now mode, are amenable to trade options. Tre Johnson, VJ Edgecombe, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach are among the players the Jazz are anticipated to select.
Austin Ainge would rather choose a player with a high ceiling than take it safe. If Ace Bailey or Jeremiah Fears are present, expect him to favor one over the other.
Former BYU point guard Egor Demin is projected to be selected in the second 10 of the first round in a number of mock drafts. Since Jimmer Fredette in 2011, he will be the first BYU player selected in the draft.
