The Utah Jazz have a valuable opportunity to make significant additions late in this year’s draft.
While much attention has been on the Jazz’s number-ten overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, it’s important to remember that they have the potential to acquire key players with their later picks – number 29 and number 32.
Having two later picks provides the Jazz with a chance to uncover hidden gems who could emerge as impactful players in the league within a few years. Every season, we witness players drafted beyond the lottery making immediate impacts and building successful NBA careers.
Exploring options, especially in the guard position, with their late-first and early-second round selections could be beneficial for the Jazz. There are several promising guards available who could be strong additions to the team’s roster. It’s a crucial moment for the Jazz to make well-calculated choices to expedite their rebuilding process effectively.
Kyshawn George from Miami
ESPN’s prospect ranking 19
It might be optimistic to hope that George will still be on the table by the time the Jazz make their pick, but if the opportunity arises, selecting the guard from Miami would be a fantastic choice.
During his first year in college, George’s standout strength was his shooting, maintaining an impressive 40.8% accuracy from three-point range while attempting four shots per game. His 6-foot-8 height and 6-foot-10 wingspan add to his potential as a significant and adaptable player who could partner effectively with Keyonte George in the backcourt.
Adding some bulk could be advantageous for him, particularly to boost his defensive capabilities, but his current physique provides enough promise for growth in that aspect of his game. While he works on that, his reliability as a scorer and playmaker could secure him a valuable position in Utah, potentially paving the way for him to become a starter in the future.
Tyler Kolek from Marquette
ESPN ranks the prospect at number 26
Despite his physical attributes not being overwhelming, Kolek has the potential to make an immediate impact on an NBA team right from the start, and he could fit exceptionally well in Salt Lake City.
Standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall with a wingspan just under 6 feet 3 inches, the Marquette guard’s measurements may seem a bit limited, but his abilities as a passer and shooter could make him a valuable prospect for teams considering him in the first round. He proved himself as one of the top guards in college basketball last season, boasting averages of 15.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 7.7 assists with shooting percentages of 49.6% from the field, 38.8% from beyond the arc, and 85.1% from the free-throw line.
Considering the Jazz struggled with playmaking and ranked in the bottom ten in the league in three-point shooting percentage, Kolek could step in immediately to address these weaknesses and provide Utah with valuable and essential depth in the guard positions.
Historically, the Jazz have prioritized prospects with strong physical attributes, but if Kolek’s talent and fit with the team outweighs other considerations when it’s their turn to pick, he could very well end up in Utah.
Juan Nunez from Spain
The prospect is ranked 36th by ESPN
The Jazz faced challenges in finding a key playmaker in their recent season, so why not consider adding Juan Nunez, a top young facilitator from abroad? Nunez, a 6-foot-4 point guard, excels as a premier passer in Europe, maintaining an impressive average of 7.7 assists per 36 minutes in his latest season. His skills extend to scoring and finishing at the rim, as he averages 15.4 points per 36 minutes and achieves a 47.0% field goal percentage.
Although Nunez is known for his excellent passing skills, he needs to improve his efficiency as a playmaker. His turnover rates were higher than desirable, especially for the Jazz, who already ranked high in turnovers in the league. Adding to their turnover issues may not be the best choice.
If Utah can help him develop into a more effective and impactful ball handler despite his learning curve, getting him at this stage of the draft would be a significant acquisition.
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