2023 NBA Draft Prospects

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PBS: Locke found Kobe Bufkin and is now all in on him at #9. Before that, he discovered Hendricks and said that if he's there at #9 the Jazz have to pick him, so I guess we'll see if he discovers more players. Before that, it was Cason Wallace.

I'm counting the days until he nails Bilal Coulibaly's name.

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If the Jazz want Coulibaly, they should trade back with the Thunder and get their own pick back next year.

The Thunder are rumored to be the team that has given Coulibaly a promise. So if they trade up with us it will likely be to take him.

[SoCalJazzFan]

This is how the U.S. prospects were ranked heading into college this time last year:

https://247sports.com/Season/2022-Basketball/CompositeRecruitRankings/?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool/

https://n.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals150/2022?position=ALL%20POSITIONS

https://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/playerrankings/_/class/2022/order/true

Were they wrong, or are we sleeping on Dariq and NSJr, who were consisently the #1 and #2 ranked players, due to their injuries last season?

I don't have as much time to watch games this year and I've been limited to the NCAA tournament and to highlights mainly. When I watched Whitehead I was very intrigued, because of some great athletic, ballhandling and rim attack flashes in addition to him actually hitting high % on his 3p shots... knowing he played injured adds to the intrigue. I cannot say the same about Nick Smith Jr. I thought he was incredibly... ordinary... he pretty much never goes to the rim. He's shooting tons and TONS AND TONS of floaters. That won't fly in the league. I didn't see great self-creation or creation for others from him.

Now... no idea what their respective medicals say because Whitehead seems to be having yet another injury and NSJ had some sort of injury too... but if they are cleared medically, I personally would be happy taking Whitehead at 16 and I wouldn't want anything to do with Nick Smith Jr...

Take this with a bucket of salt since again - this is based on very limited film I've seen.

If Dariq ends up getting picked in the 20s, as mocked, and his 2nd surgery corrects his foot problem, he could easily become the steal of the draft.

I agree with you on NSJr. I was underwhelmed watching him play.

[Inigo Montoya]

PBS: Locke found Kobe Bufkin and is now all in on him at #9. Before that, he discovered Hendricks and said that if he's there at #9 the Jazz have to pick him, so I guess we'll see if he discovers more players. Before that, it was Cason Wallace.

I'm counting the days until he nails Bilal Coulibaly's name.

It's like every time Locke says his name he finds a new way to mess it up and mispronounce it.

I'm sure that by the time he'll need to call one of Coulibaly's games he'll do his prep work and get it right but still, it's quite annoying how many names he butchers, which also includes Amen Thompson and Jarace Walker as well.

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Locke traded the #9 pick for #12 and our own pick next year back from OKC. Would you like such a trade?

[zero24gravity]

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Locke traded the #9 pick for #12 and our own pick next year back from OKC. Would you like such a trade?

If they are targeting a player they really like, and still get someone like Hendricks or Coulibaly at #12 (maybe even Wallace or Black), then that's great. If they slide back a tier (whatever that looks like) in player-value in this draft by going back 3 spots, then no no no. I trust what the Jazz FO is doing for the most part, I just don't want them to slide back just to get another pick, while giving up a talented rookie this year. There are a lot of players that look really good around #9... but if you can get that same player at #12, while adding another pick to the treasure chest, then it's a great deal.

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And now Locke took Cason Wallace at #12 in their mock draft.

[SoCalJazzFan]

And now Locke took Cason Wallace at #12 in their mock draft.

I'm a Cason Wallace fanboy, but have to admit that if one of Whitmore, Walker or Hendricks is at #9, the Jazz should probably draft him instead.

I hate the Locke proposal, even though it gets Wallace, as I'm holding out hope that the Jazz are able to pull off a deal to get a starting level, if not future star, pg and a wing/f out of this draft either by moving up or using their current picks. I also hate it as many of the players who withdrew from this draft are mocked to be in the lottery of the 2024 draft, which reinforces the belief that it will be a weak draft.

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And at no. 16 - Leonard Miller.
I'm liking that draft. Wallace + Miller + our 2024 pick back is a very good outcome so far.

[SoCalJazzFan]

And at no. 16 - Leonard Miller.
I'm liking that draft. Wallace + Miller + our 2024 pick back is a very good outcome so far.

I'd be ok with that result. If the Jazz were to buy #26, such as to get Dariq or GG or Bilal, I would be even happier.

TBH, I'm not sure I care that much about losing next year's draft pick if it is 11+. #16 this year is probably worth more than having a late lottery or worse draft pick next year.

[SoCalJazzFan]

Would anyone disagree that this draft in the most fun leading up to it for Jazz fans since perhaps the Exum draft?

[zero24gravity]

Would anyone disagree that this draft in the most fun leading up to it for Jazz fans since perhaps the Exum draft?

Agreed. I admit I was excited about Exum. Didn't really get too excited about the Kanter draft. DWill draft was also pretty exiting. High picks usually mean high expectations and excitement. Then having what looks like a really deep draft, plus having multiple picks adds to the fun and excitement, not to mention "trader Danny" and his reputation for making moves adds another layer.

This is a Copy/Paste of mine from another thread. I've re-read it a few times and still feel the same way about how much hope I have for 2 and maybe even 3 (GG would be ideal as a late pick IMO) players. It's rare to care too much about players outside the top 5-10.

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I find a lot of crossover between who I'd like at #9 but also like them at #16. Same goes for some players I like at #16 but could still see being available at #28. I think that speaks to the depth of the players available this year. If the Jazz FO does their jobs, the team should have at least 2 quality players coming from this draft. I love that I'd be happy with so many different options.

#9 - The Jazz should be getting themselves a really good player here.
*Jarace Walker (I know most mocks have him going higher, but I think he could be available as BPA.)
*Bilal Coulibaly (I'm jumping on the hype-train and don't think he'll be available much after 9 if the Jazz don't take him.)
*Anthony Black/Cason Wallace (I go back and forth on which PG I like more for the Jazz, and based on mocks I've seen, it would appear they are also split. Both have draft position from 7-17, with each being drafted in front of the other. PG is the team's most pressing need, IMO. Are either of them the PG of the future?)
*Taylor Hendricks (Perhaps a touch high, but I really like what he would bring to the table for the Jazz.)

#16 - There are players who could slip just a little and give the Jazz a 2nd lottery talent.
*Taylor Hendricks (I think he'll likely go after 9, but before 16. It would be a perfect scenario for him to drop to 16.)
*Anthony Black/Cason Wallace (If either is available at 16, and PG wasn't addressed at #9, you gotta take who's left here.)
*Nick Smith (Combo guard. Might be PG of the future. Might be Clarkson/Sexton of the future, depending on how he develops.)
*Dariq Whitehead (Injury seems to be tempering mock position for him lately, but he's undoubtedly talented. Perhaps worth a bit of a risk here. I like his game, and think he'd fit with the Jazz well.)
*Grady Dick (Shooting is a need. Shooting he provides. But he's not just a shooter from what I've seen.)
*Kris Murray (I feel like I've seen him anywhere from 13-29 in mocks. For me he projects well as a versatile low-end starter, or strong bench player who can play both forward spots and shoot it well.)
*Dereck Lively (While it may not be as important as in the past, the Jazz have nothing behind Kessler at center. I'm more worried about injury insurance than a daily backup. I wouldn't be mad if the Jazz added depth at center with Lively here. He's talented and different enough from Kessler, that he's not redundant.)

#28 - Again I find myself thinking a couple players from my #16 group could still be available here.
*G.G. Jackson (He may have the widest range of mock draft positions I've seen, going from #12 to not in the first round. I would 100% take a swing with him at #28 if he is available, but wouldn't gamble #16 on him.)
*Dariq Whitehead (If injury concerns cause him to fall here, he's a no-brainer and well worth the risk.)
*Kris Murray (Big smiles if the Jazz can land a quality player like Murray this late in the first round.)
*Noah Clowney (Bring on the defensive versatility. We've got Dunn, but Clowney could be the long term fix for the team's need for a dogg.)
*Colby Jones (Not a super sexy pick, but he could fill a need and seems to me to be low-risk. I think he'll be a solid role player in the league.)

I've cooled a touch on them, but I could also see the Jazz going with Sensabaugh or Cissko at #28. Amari Bailey has fallen off my radar a bit. I think he's more of a 2nd rounder.

So I guess if I was making a best-case (but not too unrealistic) prediction for the Jazz, I'd go with:
#9 Jarace Walker
#16 Anthony Black/Cason Wallace
#28 G.G. Jackson

That would be a draft with tons of exciting upside, but also a lot of development needed. Defense and athleticism added, but shooting would be shaky with those young players (Wallace being the least concerning).

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And at no. 16 - Leonard Miller.
I'm liking that draft. Wallace + Miller + our 2024 pick back is a very good outcome so far.

I'd be ok with that result. If the Jazz were to buy #26, such as to get Dariq or GG or Bilal, I would be even happier.

TBH, I'm not sure I care that much about losing next year's draft pick if it is 11+. #16 this year is probably worth more than having a late lottery or worse draft pick next year.

Locke absorbed Patty Mills for a 28 for 21 swap and picked Keyonte George at 21.

[HadAnEffectHere]

Bufkin cancelled his Jazz workout, might have a promise with the Wizards.

Ausar also might have a promise with the Magic at 6.

In that case it's

1. Wemby
2. Scoot/Miller
3. Miller/Scoot
4. Amen
5. Whitmore
6. Ausar
7. ???
8. Bufkin

So two of Walker, Hendricks, and Black would be guaranteed to be on the board.

Love Black and Hendricks....................... Do not like Walker at all.

[Gert42]

If I said this in other thread I apologize for the repetitiveness; I think the Jazz should let the draft come to them.

If the OKC trade is there, I’d be OK with that as long as there isn’t someone you REALLY want at 9.

[bkohler]

If Hendricks, Black and Walker are all available at 9 I’d take the OKc trade and gamble that one of them is available three picks later.

[Inigo Montoya]

Locke traded the #9 pick for #12 and our own pick next year back from OKC. Would you like such a trade?

It depends what the Jazz's goal for next season is. If they plan on tanking/developing young talent, then this trade is unnecessary because the Jazz could easily secure a pick inside the top-10. With teams like the Spurs and Rockets looking to improve next season, and assuming the Mavs will suck less and the Blazers will try to improve their roster to keep Lillard, the Jazz could have the worst record in the west if they tried. I'm not advocating for it but it is worth keeping in mind.

I also wouldn't do it until I know for sure that the Jazz can't trade up from #9, and that no player they really like slides to their range. It is also worth noting that Locke has a thing with Cason Wallace so it was easier for him to agree to such a trade.

Having said that, it's not a bad offer. I wouldn't be mad if it happened, but I'd rather it didn't. The Jazz have plenty of draft picks they could use to trade into next year's draft if they wanted.

I think we're also seeing that there is a limit to a surplus of draft picks a team can have without it being a hindrance, or at least yielding diminishing return. OKC has been trying to unload some of their picks because they have too many, as evidenced by the trade they made with Denver about a week ago.

[Inigo Montoya]

Would anyone disagree that this draft in the most fun leading up to it for Jazz fans since perhaps the Exum draft?

In terms of interest and fan engagement, absolutely. It helps that the Jazz own three picks in all ranges of the first round. And thanks to the Gobert and Mitchell trades (and other trades), we'll have a steady stream of first round picks coming every season, which is great. We just need to hope that at some point the Wolves and Cavs will implode.

[SoCalJazzFan]

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[AGE1207]

Would anyone disagree that this draft in the most fun leading up to it for Jazz fans since perhaps the Exum draft?

Personally I’m not having great fun coz there’s simply too many unknowns. At this stage I’m not even sure which direction we want to take in our rebuild? It’s a strong draft for sure and we have options but I can’t get too excited about player x or y, trading up or down without knowing what the plan is for next year.
I understand the FO wants to keep their cards close to the chest but for me the immediate consequence is that I’m not overly excited either (just yet).