Early realistic draft

[jazznik]

I know, having polls about the 2025 draft is kinda early but with the way the team is playing it looks that the 2025 is (almost) the only part of the season deserving an extended conversation. We all have hopes and dreams but even in the best case scenarios the Jazz will have way less than 50% chance of getting the top-3 pick. So let talk about the most likely scenario: the Jazz will end up with the pick in the 4-8 range (I will skip the prospects of the MN pick for now).

That's where things get interesting. There is a strong consensus among the mock draft publishers that Flagg, Bailey and Harper are viewed as the top-3 picks right and after that the consensus disappears and quite a few other players are slotted in the 4-7 range. So, if the probabilities go in the most likely direction and the Jazz is picking somewhere in the 4-8 range who would you like for the Jazz pick? Pick one and give your reasoning.

 

[jazznik]

I choose Kasparas Jakusionis. He is not a sexy pick but the Jazz need a good, tall PG.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

I went with Demin, but it's more of a hope that he gets there vs he should get picked there today. I'm still hoping he has a couple of great games against good teams.

If the draft were today, I think I might have to go with Tre Johnson, even though I really would hate to bring in another shooting guard. He's just been that good.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

It's still early in the season, but it would probably come down to Tre Johnson or Egor Demin for me. VJ and Kasparas are right there though.

 

[jazznik]

I know that this draft is supposed to be deep but looking at the players leading the voting at the moment - Edgecombe, Demin, Jakusionis - none of them looks like a franchise-changing player. All of them look like players whose realistic ceiling is at the Lauri level. Which, I guess, is how it usually is.

Still, it looks like it would be a big disappointment if we don't get a top-3 pick.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

I know that this draft is supposed to be deep but looking at the players leading the voting at the moment - Edgecombe, Demin, Jakusionis - none of them looks like a franchise-changing player. All of them look like players whose realistic ceiling is at the Lauri level. Which, I guess, is how it usually is.

Still, it looks like it would be a big disappointment if we don't get a top-3 pick.

At the moment I only feel really good about Flagg and Harper being franchise changers. There is lots of time to change my mind though.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

I know that this draft is supposed to be deep but looking at the players leading the voting at the moment - Edgecombe, Demin, Jakusionis - none of them looks like a franchise-changing player. All of them look like players whose realistic ceiling is at the Lauri level. Which, I guess, is how it usually is.

Still, it looks like it would be a big disappointment if we don't get a top-3 pick.

Flagg and Harper are the game-changers, but Demin and Tre Johnson would both represent a pretty big step forward, imo. Bailey could be significant too, I just worry about his ball movement and his ability to get to the rim.

 

[jazznik]

Flagg and Harper are the game-changers, but Demin and Tre Johnson would both represent a pretty big step forward, imo. Bailey could be significant too, I just worry about his ball movement and his ability to get to the rim.

So why do you think nobody voted for Tre in this poll so far? I have not watched him much but heard his name thrown around a lot and I am a bit surprised about his lack of votes.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

So why do you think nobody voted for Tre in this poll so far? I have not watched him much but heard his name thrown around a lot and I am a bit surprised about his lack of votes.

People probably think the Jazz have a positional need at the 1, so they're looking at Demin and Kasparas.

 

[jazznik]

People probably think the Jazz have a positional need at the 1, so they're looking at Demin and Kasparas.

That's fair. I am one of them. But it's not like the Jazz do not have a positional need at the 2 as well.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

That's fair. I am one of them. But it's not like the Jazz do not have a positional need at the 2 as well.

Keyonte could play next to Johnson or Edgecombe as well. It's just that Lauri and Walker (if the Jazz keep him) could really benefit from a strong lead initiator.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

It's bizarre to me that people are seeing Flagg as a franchise changer. I mean the kid is a "glue guy" even at Duke.

His NBA destiny is a great 3rd banana. A Lauri with more length and ballhandling and less shooting.

That reminds me... Flagg's shooting after nine games (against mostly terrible competition):

FG% .440
3P% .242
FT% .714

You can't spin that. The kid can't shoot. You're not changing a franchise if you're 6'9" and can't shoot.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Definitely Kasparas. Jazz need an injection of elite skill. VJ wouldnt be in the mix for me at this point. It's Kasper/Demin/Johnson, in that order.