BluePrint to Wrapping up a Successful Jazz Season

After experiencing several postseasons of disappointments and facing rumors of locker room unrest, Jazz's new owner Ryan Smith had a vision of a brighter future. However, when the team traded away its two all-stars, Donovon Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, Jazz fans were devastated and bewildered. The loss of their eight-year head coach, Quin Snyder, compounded the sense of gloom, and many in the NBA wrote off the Jazz altogether. Yet, what happened next caught everyone by surprise.

Lauri Markkanen, who had been fading into a secondary role, stepped up and became a starting All-Star. Walker Kessler, who had been included as a late first-round pick in the Rudy Gobert trade, is dominating with double the blocks, a higher field goal percentage, and a higher defensive rating than two-time defensive player of the year Gobert. And, Will Hardy has emerged as an instant difference-maker and a fantastic players-coach. With the acquisition of fifteen first-round picks, various pick swaps, and a focus on developing young talent, the future of the Jazz looks well architected, albeit delayed. So what's next for this team on the rise?

Determined to bring Utah its first NBA championship, Ryan Smith is building a winning culture and exploiting the draft are crucial steps in achieving this in a smaller market. Teams like the Spurs, Warriors, Celtics, and Bucks have all showcased how consistent development and healthy relationships between coaches and players leads to championships. With three first-round picks in the upcoming 2023 draft, the Jazz have a rare opportunity for adding top talent to their roster.

While the Jazz may not land the first or second pick in the draft, there are several promising options in the 6th -10th draft slots. The primary target is Jarace Walker, a versatile 6' 8", 240-pound beast who plays multiple positions and excels on both ends of the court. Walker is a faster, more athletic version of four-time all-star Paul Milsap who shoots with accuracy and would take pressure off the team's primary forward, Lauri Markkanen. He can guard the opposing team's best player at any position, and his agility and quick feet make him elite on defense. On offense, Walker is equally impressive, threatening to score in the paint, space the floor, and make assists. Shooting 39% from three-point range and 50% from the field, make him a legitimate threat from all areas of the court. In the playoffs, he could play small-ball five with Markkanen at the four, providing an ultra-versatile lineup matching up against any opponent. With his ability to guard multiple positions, score prolifically from beyond the arc, and stay disciplined on both ends of the floor, Jarace Walker will be invaluable in this league. He is the first option.

I f Walker is off the board, we consider the next two targets: Keyonte George and Nick Smith Jr. Both players are elite combo guards with the ability to create for themselves and teammates. George is a 6'4" powerful guard with a sweet touch who can score under pressure. He plays like a hybrid of Eric Gordon and Jamal Murray, getting the ball off quickly, shooting with little space, and overpowering smaller players. He is a crafty player and makes touch shots. In addition, George has excellent upside as a creator, with good passing skills and vision. He's also an athletic and reactive defender. George is a star in the making. Nick Smith Jr. has a super high ceiling, although he has struggled with injuries. He has a 6'5" frame with shifty athleticism and makes plays both on and off the ball. Smith’s game is similar to Jordan Poole's, with tight handles, finishes with both hands, and an elite change of pace and direction. Smith is very capable of shooting his team back into a game and is comfortable under pressure. He is also a functional on and off-ball defender who fights through screens. Smith would be an incredible pick-up for the Jazz.

The Jazz's draft strategy seems clear. If their top target, Walker, is available, they should complement him with a guard having star potential in the off-season (Plan A). LaMelo Ball, an all-star and elite passer with length and high upside, would be an ideal fit. He can play in the backcourt for years to come and make consistent contributions. If they end up with George or Smith Jr. instead, they should round out their frontcourt with a versatile player like O.G. Anunoby (Plan B). O.G. is known for his defensive versatility, as he can guard multiple positions, and his ability to spread the floor. He is the kind of player who does the dirty work often overlooked but is crucial for a winning run.

Whether the Jazz end up with Plan A or B, their next draft pick, which is currently owed to them by the Timberwolves and projected to be at the 16 slot, remains crucial and unchanged. The team needs to solidify their bench with a high-IQ, defense-minded point guard. Two players fitting this mold, and likely to be available at that pick, are Cason Wallace and Jalen Hood-Schifino. Wallace is a tough defender with active hands, standing at 6' 4 and shooting 35.4% from beyond the arc. With his ability to effectively run the pick-and-roll, he is an exceptional blend of Jrue Holiday and Patrick Beverley, and can be a productive scorer from the perimeter and inside the paint. Wallace is also arguably the best point-of-attack defender in the draft, racking up an impressive two steals per game and consistently hustling after loose balls. On the other hand, Hood-Schifino is an all-around solid player at 6' 6, making smart reads and passes, catching and shooting, and always making the right plays, much like Lonzo Ball. He is shooting a respectable 38% from 3-point range this season and is a natural leader and competitor who cuts off passing lanes and swarms opposing guards. Whether the Jazz lands Cason or Jalen, either would be a valuable and consistent presence off the bench.

The Jazz's final draft pick in 2023 sits currently at number 27, which is likely to remain in that area. Late in the first round, the team is hoping to find an overlooked talent who may not fit the mold of a "one-and-done" player or play overseas. Often, teams are turned off by taking multi-year college players or foreign players that are harder to evaluate. However, the Jazz's Plans A and B may come into play here. If the team lands Jarrace Walker and pursues Lamelo Ball, the next player archetype they need is an off-the-bench Swiss Army knife, in the mold of Herb Jones, Andre Iguodala, Dorian Finney-Smith, Bruce Brown, or Alex Caruso. These players lock down the opposing team's best player, bring instant energy, guard multiple positions, and hit shots when needed. The perfect fit for the Jazz in this role is Bilal Coulibaly, an 18-year-old player from France who is averaging 20.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 2.7 steals per 36 minutes playing alongside Wenbemyama. At 6' 6" with a 7+ foot wingspan, Bilal is a long, wiry player who is the most versatile defender in the class. He can switch the one and the four positions and is elite on and off the ball. Bilal is also a great shooter, making 54% of his field goal attempts, 35% from 3-point range, and 72% from the free-throw line. He is truly a diamond in the rough and has the potential to be the steal of this draft.

Alternatively, if the Jazz choose Keyonte George or Nick Smith Jr and are seeking that O.G. Anunoby type player, they’d need an off-the-bench scorer who can ignite the team with his shooting. Two potential targets for this role are Terquavian Smith and Jordan Hawkins, both of whom have the potential to make an immediate impact. Terquavian is a 6' 3 agile combo guard, similar in style to Bones Hyland. He is not the most efficient shooter, but he can make difficult shots and has elite speed. His shot selection and defense are areas of concern, but his ability to get a bucket on-demand has made him an elite off-the-bench scorer for over a decade. On the other hand, Jordan Hawkins is a different player, more like Mikal Bridges lite. He has a solid frame, good athleticism, and a plus wingspan. He is shooting 39% from 3 and 87% from the line, and deadeyed from beyond the arc. He attacks closeouts well, is a smart player, and can guard multiple positions using his length and athleticism. He has the potential to become a reliable "3 and D" wing.

The Utah Jazz has had a season of surprises after facing disappointment in the postseason and experiencing disruption of team chemistry. The emergence of Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler as well as Will Hardy's coaching has been instrumental in turning the season around. The sum of fifteen first-round picks and a focus on developing young talent has left the future of the Jazz looking bright. The team's draft strategy should be adding top talent to their roster by selecting players such as Jarace Walker, Keyonte George, or Nick Smith Jr. and solidifying their bench with a high-IQ, defense-minded point guard and finding overlooked talent late in the first round. Ryan Smith is determined to bring Utah its first NBA championship; this is how he can get there.