2024 NBA Draft Prospects

[SoCalJazzFan]

https://sports.yahoo.com/with-new-coach-jj-redick-at-the-helm-the-lakers-draft-strategy-beginning-to-take-shape-232824674.html

Jazz are in the mix for #3 pick as well as Brooklyn. Also says we are trying to trade for Mikal Bridges. I usually believe Jake Fischer’s reporting.

I've always been a fan of Mikal Bridges, but I'm not sure that he makes sense right now unless the Jazz are able to trade for at least one more impactful player. Even then, it would remain to be seen if the team could get past the 2nd round of the playoffs.

[SoCalJazzFan]

Reading in between the lines here, but I’m hoping for chaos in the top 5 tomorrow. Let’s say Reed Sheppard goes #1 overall. If it happens, Houston may have a deal in place with the Jazz to move to 10. Jazz would probably take Castle at 3 in this hypothetical scenario.

I like the potential for Castle if he can actually shoot and be a PG, but if the Jazz are able to trade for #3 and Sarr is still on the board, I think you know what I'd do.

[Inigo Montoya]

https://sports.yahoo.com/with-new-coach-jj-redick-at-the-helm-the-lakers-draft-strategy-beginning-to-take-shape-232824674.html

Jazz are in the mix for #3 pick as well as Brooklyn. Also says we are trying to trade for Mikal Bridges. I usually believe Jake Fischer’s reporting.

I've always been a fan of Mikal Bridges, but I'm not sure that he makes sense right now unless the Jazz are able to trade for at least one more impactful player. Even then, it would remain to be seen if the team could get past the 2nd round of the playoffs.

I would agree that if the Jazz acquire Bridges with no additional moves then it wouldn't make sense but I'd imagine they know this too. When it comes down to it, the Jazz will have to start somewhere and some player has to be the first so if they trade for Bridges it would probably be with the intention of adding another marquee player ASAP. The team payroll will be ugly after that, though.

[Inigo Montoya]

Justin Zanik on the draft:

Watch on YouTube

[D Rog]

https://sports.yahoo.com/with-new-coach-jj-redick-at-the-helm-the-lakers-draft-strategy-beginning-to-take-shape-232824674.html

Jazz are in the mix for #3 pick as well as Brooklyn. Also says we are trying to trade for Mikal Bridges. I usually believe Jake Fischer’s reporting.

I've always been a fan of Mikal Bridges, but I'm not sure that he makes sense right now unless the Jazz are able to trade for at least one more impactful player. Even then, it would remain to be seen if the team could get past the 2nd round of the playoffs.

I would agree that if the Jazz acquire Bridges with no additional moves then it wouldn't make sense but I'd imagine they know this too. When it comes down to it, the Jazz will have to start somewhere and some player has to be the first so if they trade for Bridges it would probably be with the intention of adding another marquee player ASAP. The team payroll will be ugly after that, though.

I think a lot of fans would like to see Mikal in a Jazz uniform. That being said, how much are you willing to give up? How many future 1st round draft picks would you trade? He has 2 years remaining on his current (reasonably priced) contract. It has been discussed in the past that the Jazz want players that they have long term control over their contracts... 2 years is not long term.

[SoCalJazzFan]

^^ If the Jazz were to acquire Mikal, then they would have to also get another player, most likely a playmaking guard, to round the trio out. Darius Garland and Dejounte Murray will most likely both be available. That could be a fun team that would most likely make the playoffs. It would take a lot, but certainly not all, of the Jazz' draft picks in the near future (they have 11 between now and 2027). So, potentially doable.

However, is that trio, along with our other players that would survive the trades, enough to be a contender? It would be a collection of arguably three top 50 players, but each are a 2nd or 3rd best type player on a championship team and perhaps more importantly are any of them shot creators? I can't recall a conference finals team that didn't have at least one or two strong shot creators leading the way. The Jazz would most likely be too good to draft one while going to the playoffs each year and with CLE and MIN also looking like playoffs teams for a few years.

[Inigo Montoya]

Well, it was nice to speculate while it lasted (about a day?) but it's now moot as Mikal Bridges was traded to the Knicks.

[Jampod]

Sounds like we’re gonna go with BPA at 10 according to Justin Zanik. If it’s between Dillingham, Salaun, and Holland, I think we’d take Dillingham. Ron Holland also cancelled his workout with the Jazz because of fatigue.

[Inigo Montoya]

Don't know if Locke is still going to telegraph the Jazz's pick in advance like in recent years but in his podcast he said he's betting on Devin Carter.

He also said the Jazz had Topic for an in-person meeting this week.

[SoCalJazzFan]

It surprised me to hear Leif tell Locke that Ryan Dunn was a good shooter in high school, but lost confidence at UVA and used his athleticism to become a great defender. I dug around a bit and found this article about him going to UVA. https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2021/9/18/22681024/commitment-virginia-basketball-from-ryan-dunn Of note, it indicates that Ryan Dunn's most promising strength was his shooting ability, and that he had the potential to become a 3 level scorer. I've always liked him for his hustle and crazy defensive ability, setting a decent floor, but if can shoot too? Seriously, he would have been a top 10 pick. So, if we can nab him at #22 (after trading #29 and #32 to PHX), it could be an amazing get.
Edit:
I'll add two more bits of info:
First, he was a 44% shooter from 3pt in HS https://virginiasports.com/player/ryan-dunn/
Second, it appeared that he would not get a scholarship to attend UVA, but they called the coach and told him that he would still attend UVA even if they had to pay for it themselves as he and his family thought it was such a good place for him to go. This as a highly recruited player. Fortunately, a scholarship came through for him. That is a high character move for him and his family, IMO.

[MalonesElbows]

Don't know if Locke is still going to telegraph the Jazz's pick in advance like in recent years but in his podcast he said he's betting on Devin Carter.

He also said the Jazz had Topic for an in-person meeting this week.

I'm fine with Carter. He is more a combo guard than PG but you can't get caught up in positions. He has that Mitchell level of athleticism and strength. A little taller than Mitchell even.

[Inigo Montoya]

Don't know if Locke is still going to telegraph the Jazz's pick in advance like in recent years but in his podcast he said he's betting on Devin Carter.

He also said the Jazz had Topic for an in-person meeting this week.

I'm fine with Carter. He is more a combo guard than PG but you can't get caught up in positions. He has that Mitchell level of athleticism and strength. A little taller than Mitchell even.

I think it would be a “safe” pick but probably not one with a lot of upside. I’d rather the Jazz swing for the fences and miss than go for a prospect who isn’t very likely to make a difference in the grand scheme of things even if they pan out. Nothing against Carter but if that’s who the Jazz pick, I’m not sure it was worth tanking the season for.

[MalonesElbows]

I think it would be a “safe” pick but probably not one with a lot of upside. I’d rather the Jazz swing for the fences and miss than go for a prospect who isn’t very likely to make a difference in the grand scheme of things even if they pan out. Nothing against Carter but if that’s who the Jazz pick, I’m not sure it was worth tanking the season for.

There are be no swing for the fence players at 10 because the draft is just that bad. Reed Sheppard is mocked at #3!

[Inigo Montoya]

I think it would be a “safe” pick but probably not one with a lot of upside. I’d rather the Jazz swing for the fences and miss than go for a prospect who isn’t very likely to make a difference in the grand scheme of things even if they pan out. Nothing against Carter but if that’s who the Jazz pick, I’m not sure it was worth tanking the season for.

There are be no swing for the fence players at 10 because the draft is just that bad. Reed Sheppard is mocked at #3!

I think there are swing for the fences players even at 10, it's just that they're more flawed than in normal drafts and less likely to pan out. But I'd still take Holland or Topic at 10 over Carter (and a bunch of others players who are less likely to be there like Williams or Buzelis)

[Hoops Addict]

10. Salaun, Williams......or trade for #5 Castle

29- Dunn, Ware, Collier. Dadiet

32-Dadiet, Tyler Smith.

I love Dunn and Dadiet....and CASTLE of course.

[Hoops Addict]

Thank you for the intel. I love Dunn.....he has amazing defense, and he is strong in transition.....has great athleticism.

Dunn will be a star.

It surprised me to hear Leif tell Locke that Ryan Dunn was a good shooter in high school, but lost confidence at UVA and used his athleticism to become a great defender. I dug around a bit and found this article about him going to UVA. https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2021/9/18/22681024/commitment-virginia-basketball-from-ryan-dunn Of note, it indicates that Ryan Dunn's most promising strength was his shooting ability, and that he had the potential to become a 3 level scorer. I've always liked him for his hustle and crazy defensive ability, setting a decent floor, but if can shoot too? Seriously, he would have been a top 10 pick. So, if we can nab him at #22 (after trading #29 and #32 to PHX), it could be an amazing get.
Edit:
I'll add two more bits of info:
First, he was a 44% shooter from 3pt in HS https://virginiasports.com/player/ryan-dunn/
Second, it appeared that he would not get a scholarship to attend UVA, but they called the coach and told him that he would still attend UVA even if they had to pay for it themselves as he and his family thought it was such a good place for him to go. This as a highly recruited player. Fortunately, a scholarship came through for him. That is a high character move for him and his family, IMO.

[Inigo Montoya]

With the 2024 draft in the books, the time has come to retire this thread. Another thread will be opened for next year's draft.