3 Jazz forwards should consider moving up to 10th

Time is running out for the Utah Jazz before the 2024 NBA Draft.

With just over two weeks until the first round kicks off, this team doesn’t have long before a decision is made for their tenth overall selection. The landscape of this draft is interesting because there is no clear consensus around the top of the board, so it gives the Jazz a chance to draft an impact player despite being in the backcourt of the draft. lottery.

We’ve already gone over some potential guard prospects Utah should look to target, so the focus now shifts to forwards. After trading Simone Fontecchio, Ochai Agbaji, and Kelly Olynyk at the trade deadline, this puts them in a pretty significant need in the frontcourt, effectively becoming an area we could easily see targeted later this month.

With that, here are three prospects the Jazz should look at for the 2024 NBA Draft.

ESPN Ranking: 12

He may stay on the lighter side at just 180 pounds early in this draft cycle, but Cody Williams would be a great fit for the Jazz if he were available at ten.

The weight will have to come once he enters the league to remain a consistent contributor on the field, but his offensive traits, along with his athleticism, give Williams an elite ceiling. He stood 6-foot-6 at the combine, also possessing an ideal wingspan of 7-foot-1, allowing him to develop into a two-way threat with the proper development and patience.

During his first season with the Buffaloes, Williams averaged 11.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists on impressive splits of 55.2/41.5/71.4, but not on a massive number of shot attempts. However, if that efficiency can translate to some degree to the pros, his future in the NBA could look both long and promising.

In recent drafts, Utah has tended to rely on size and length for its acquisitions, and the Colorado product could be another entry besides that. For a team that has regularly struggled defensively in 2023, the Jazz may be leaning toward a stronger defensive prospect than Williams, but expect him to take a hard look at ten if he’s available.

ESPN Ranking: 11

If the Jazz’s priority in this upcoming draft was to add defensive talent, Ron Holland could be the man for the job at number 10.

The main ability that stands out when scouting Netherlands is his elite athleticism, which, in turn, helps translate into his impact on saves. He stands 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, making him a versatile and switchable defender at the next level. Holland is also one of the youngest prospects in this class, who will only be 18 years old on draft night.

Offensively, there are still several steps to take for the Netherlands, particularly in terms of shooting. Last season with G-League Ignite, he remained an efficient scorer with 19.5 points per night on 47.4% from the field, but an unsightly 23.9% from deep isn’t doing him any favors, especially from the point of view. view of screening.

The bright side for the Jazz, however, is that they are a team that can hide their offensive struggles if it means they can add another wing defender into the rotation. Holland fits that coveted mold, and that’s why you could easily see Danny Ainge and the rest of the front office landing on him as the eventual selection at ten.

ESPN Ranking: 9

When you take a look at this year’s top prospects, the name Tidjane Salaun may not mean anything to you. However, the 6-foot-9 forward has made solid momentum toward a top-ten finish, and the Jazz should keep a close eye on him.

There’s no doubt that whichever team selects Salaun means a draft player will join the team, but it’s a process that could be one of the board’s top picks in due time. He is a 6-foot-9 18-year-old forward with a 7-foot wingspan and has the size, versatility, athleticism and upside on both sides of the ball to become one of the best guys in the class .

The problem when analyzing Salaun is his lack of experience and inconsistency offensively and defensively, which prevents him from shooting even higher up the draft boards. Playing basketball for only a few years compared to the rest of the class, scouts wonder how he compares to the most tested players on the table. This is a classic high-risk, high-reward scenario, but the Jazz could be the team that takes the gamble.

Utah has shown a willingness to demonstrate patience and ideal development for its young players like Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensabaugh, and a selection of Salaun could be another example of that. If the Jazz wanted to shoot for the moon with their lottery pick, the Frenchman could be the one to get there.

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