2024 NBA Draft Prospects

[HadAnEffectHere]

Cody Williams can barely dribble at all despite playing PG throughout HS, he will not be SGA.

Williams' ceiling is probably close to Pascal Siakam, but this requires a ton of stuff to go right (he needs to add 40-50 pounds while getting more athletic and better at dribbling and shooting)

Yeah, I'll go ahead and disagree categorically with this take.

Cody Williams weighs 47 pounds less than his brother. It's very fair to call him 50 pounds underweight when he has his brother's height and wingspan and considering how horrible Cody was at Colorado and how much his physical weakness held him back in every area.

His jumpshot form is unusable (shoots too far in front of him and shoots low and slow) and he gets stripped constantly because his handle is so rudimentary.

I think there's like a really good chance he's out of the league almost instantly and there's no chance he's better than Pascal Siakam.

But I still have him 10th because I think this is probably the worst draft I've seen in the 15 years I've followed the draft.

[babyjax13]

My board for the Jazz at 10 now looks like:
Kyshawn George
Tyler Smith
Nikola Topic
Tristan da Silva
Cody Williams

I'd be relatively pleased with any of these guys, though I share concerns about Williams' body, shot, handle, touch, and lateral quickness. He's less athletic than George with less skill.

Note that I've excluded players I think don't fit with George, but I wouldn't be mad with Dillingham or Sheppard and just figuring it out. I don't know how I feel about Carter, but I have a feeling we are the team who have made him a lottery promise. He feels like an Ainge guy, and it seems like an Ainge thing to double quadruple down on guards.

[Catchall]

My board for the Jazz at 10 now looks like:
Kyshawn George
Tyler Smith
Nikola Topic
Tristan da Silva
Cody Williams

I'd be relatively pleased with any of these guys, though I share concerns about Williams' body, shot, handle, touch, and lateral quickness. He's less athletic than George with less skill.

Note that I've excluded players I think don't fit with George, but I wouldn't be mad with Dillingham or Sheppard and just figuring it out. I don't know how I feel about Carter, but I have a feeling we are the team who have made him a lottery promise. He feels like an Ainge guy, and it seems like an Ainge thing to double quadruple down on guards.

I think the lotto team that promised Carter is likely to be Sacramento. They're going to lose Malik Monk in FA, and Davion Mitchell hasn't panned out the way they hoped. They need someone who can contribute right away so they can get back into the playoff race, and Carter fits that bill from either backcourt position.

I think the Jazz are going to try to trade up from #10, with the primary target being Reed Sheppard. I think they would also consider trading up for Williams. Otherwise, I think they'll keep their options open at #10. Nikola Topic isn't going to be able to participate in pre-draft workouts, and he could very easily slip to the Jazz. If that were the case, I think it would be a no-brainer to take Topic.

I do think Kyshawn George could be a sleeper pick for the Jazz, depending on how the draft plays out. Another out-of-leftfield pick for the Jazz would be Kel'el Ware if he doesn't have problems with his attitude and work ethic. Based on his ability alone, there's no reason he couldn't be a starter-level 5 comparable to Myles Turner with a little extra offense.

[SoCalJazzFan]

Read on Twitter

Could be good news for Jazz at #10.

[SoCalJazzFan]

While partial acl tears can theoretically be healed without surgery in about 3-4 months, the fact that Topic had issues with the knee twice leads me to believe that he’ll require surgery. For long term that might be the best course of action anyways. At least 9 months recovery, pretty much missing all of next season.

[babyjax13]

While partial acl tears can theoretically be healed without surgery in about 3-4 months, the fact that Topic had issues with the knee twice leads me to believe that he’ll require surgery. For long term that might be the best course of action anyways. At least 9 months recovery, pretty much missing all of next season.

I'm all for drafting him of he slides to us.

[Inigo Montoya]

While partial acl tears can theoretically be healed without surgery in about 3-4 months, the fact that Topic had issues with the knee twice leads me to believe that he’ll require surgery. For long term that might be the best course of action anyways. At least 9 months recovery, pretty much missing all of next season.

I'm all for drafting him of he slides to us.

If he's there at 10 I'd draft him as well. I do have concerns about some aspects of his game and I'm not expecting he'd be a franchise player or anything (all prospects have a lot of warts this draft) but he's still considered to be the best playmaker and PG in the draft. If he misses the entire next season it can help with the tank potentially.

The way this draft is shaping up, it looks like there will be at least one prospect at 10 that I'd be happy\fine with if the Jazz pick them, though which prospect it is changes depending on the mock.

[MalonesElbows]

Rumor mill of Jazz being interested in Clingan. At 7'3" with a 9'7" reach, he is bigger and more athletic than Kessler who could be packaged in a deal for a wing (don't like ANY of the guards or wings this draft).

[SoCalJazzFan]

Any reason Rob Dillingham doesn't become Darius Garland?

They are nearly the same size coming out of college. Very similar college stats too.

[dr0welf]

Is Bronny James worth a flyer? or is he only hype because of his Dad. Didn't see much from him at USC but he is way young and will still develop.

[AingesBurner]

Is Bronny James worth a flyer? or is he only hype because of his Dad. Didn't see much from him at USC but he is way young and will still develop.

I’m betting hype.

[SoCalJazzFan]

Is Bronny James worth a flyer? or is he only hype because of his Dad. Didn't see much from him at USC but he is way young and will still develop.

Most scouts don’t think he is an NBA player.
Lakers will draft him in the 2nd rd to appease dad.

[Jampod]

Clingan’s stock is rising in the last two weeks before the draft. Topić and Dillingham and Williams could theoretically fall to 10. Regardless of what happens, somebody with upside should be available. I also think Ainge is going to trade 29 and 32 to move up and draft Zach Edey.

[Inigo Montoya]

A bit late but here is some of the players the Jazz worked out:

Ryan Dunn, F, Virginia
Zach Edey, C, Purdue
Oso Ighodaro, F, Marquette
Tyler Kolek G, Marquette
Jonathan Mogbo, F, San Francisco
Tidjane Salaun, F, France
Baylor Scheierman, G, Creighton
https://www.si.com/nba/jazz/news/utah-draft-workout-zach-edey-tidjane-salaun

A more comprehensive list that may or may not be accurate (made with ChatGPT):

Matas Buzelis (Ignite)
Dalton Knecht (Tennessee)
Stephon Castle (UConn)
Donovan Clingan (UConn)
Jaylon Tyson (California)
Nikola Topic (Serbia)
Devin Carter (Providence)
Gideon George (BYU)
Michael Devoe (Georgia Tech)
Malachi Smith (Chattanooga)
Jules Bernard (UCLA)
Omari Moore (San Jose State)
Donovan Williams (UNLV)
Zach Edey (Purdue)
Tidjane Salaun (France)
Tyler Kolek (Marquette)
Ryan Dunn (Virginia)
Oso Ighodaro (Marquette)
Baylor Scheierman (Creighton)

[SoCalJazzFan]

Clingan’s stock is rising in the last two weeks before the draft. Topić and Dillingham and Williams could theoretically fall to 10. Regardless of what happens, somebody with upside should be available. I also think Ainge is going to trade 29 and 32 to move up and draft Zach Edey.

Having a choice of one or more of Topic, Dillingham or Williams a #10 is a great position to be in this draft, IMO. I think that they all have potential upside.

[Catchall]

Clingan’s stock is rising in the last two weeks before the draft. Topić and Dillingham and Williams could theoretically fall to 10. Regardless of what happens, somebody with upside should be available. I also think Ainge is going to trade 29 and 32 to move up and draft Zach Edey.

Having a choice of one or more of Topic, Dillingham or Williams a #10 is a great position to be in this draft, IMO. I think that they all have potential upside.

At this point, I'd be shocked if Topic is not on the board at #10. The fact that he got injured right at the magic moment in his season when he was supposed to prove himself, the fact that he really needs to play on the ball as a lead guard, and the fact that he'll be a redshirt his rookie season means he should be there at 10 and might even slide beyond that.

Dillingham is probably available as well, but I'd actually be a bit surprised if the Jazz take him, simply because I think the Jazz want to create floor balance where everyone defends and everyone shares the ball. I'm not sure Dillingham fits that model.

The one I really want at this point is Cody Williams, and I'm afraid he won't be there for the Jazz unless the Jazz trade up to 6 or 7. I think it's entirely possible for him to develop as a player like Josh Howard, and he might have some upside beyond that.

[Inigo Montoya]

I agree with both of the posts above. I'd be happy if the Jazz get Topic or Williams at #10. I'd be fine also with Holland, and Castle or Buzelis if they fall somehow. Not interested in Clingan (redundant with Kessler), Knecht (old, low upside), Dillingham (not a good fit with George or Sexton or really anyone on the roster, and unlikely to be better than Sexton). In most cases it looks like at least one player I'm ok with the Jazz drafting will be on the board when the Jazz pick.

[SoCalJazzFan]

I agree with both of the posts above. I'd be happy if the Jazz get Topic or Williams at #10. I'd be fine also with Holland, and Castle or Buzelis if they fall somehow. Not interested in Clingan (redundant with Kessler), Knecht (old, low upside), Dillingham (not a good fit with George or Sexton or really anyone on the roster, and unlikely to be better than Sexton). In most cases it looks like at least one player I'm ok with the Jazz drafting will be on the board when the Jazz pick.

With respect to Dillingham, I really didn't pay much attention to him early on as he was projected to go in the top 5 and he is so small. However, I have reviewed his size, stats and reviewed draft vids of both he and Darius Garland and think that they are very similar to one another. Garland has the edge in passing and Dillingham in scoring, IMO. I think that he could provide self-creation that is lacking on this team. He could play with Keyonte off ball, but admittedly we would want a bigger, more defensive wing next to him.

I do admit, though, that if Dillingham, Topic and Williams were all available it would be a tough choice, especially since the other two would complement the existing players better.

I like the athleticism of Holland, but his shooting is very concerning (its not only his bad shooting, his FT shooting is horrendous too, causing great concern). I'm not really in on Buzelis.

[babyjax13]

Any reason Rob Dillingham doesn't become Darius Garland?

They are nearly the same size coming out of college. Very similar college stats too.

Dillingham is smaller and has worse court vision.
Rob: 6-1 164lbs with a narrow frame and 6-3 wingspan
Garland: 6-1 192lbs with a much more stout frame

Part of the reason Garland struggled this year was losing 15lbs from having his jaw wired shut. I don't think Rob is a similar player - perhaps if EVERYTHING breaks right he is something between Aaron Brooks and Kemba Walker.

[SoCalJazzFan]

Any reason Rob Dillingham doesn't become Darius Garland?

They are nearly the same size coming out of college. Very similar college stats too.

Dillingham is smaller and has worse court vision.
Rob: 6-1 164lbs with a narrow frame and 6-3 wingspan
Garland: 6-1 192lbs with a much more stout frame

Part of the reason Garland struggled this year was losing 15lbs from having his jaw wired shut. I don't think Rob is a similar player - perhaps if EVERYTHING breaks right he is something between Aaron Brooks and Kemba Walker.

Garland coming out of college weighed less than 175 lbs, it took him several years in the NBA to get his current body.
I admit that Garland is a better passer. However, Dillingham might be the better scorer.
Here are their college stats (scroll down):
https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Darius-Garland/Comparison/81685/Rob-Dillingham/162009

At the end of the day, you might be right, but if you watch pre-draft videos of each, the similarities are crazy.

I'm not sure if anyone in this class becomes an All Star, but if I had to create a short list of those who might, Dillingham is on it.

(Edit: I think that the worst case scenario for Dillingham is a 6th man microwave scorer, backup combo guard type, a la Collin Sexton. That wouldn't be a horrible result at #10 from this draft).