NBA Insider Reveals Jazz Shopping to Move Up for Second Lottery Pick

The Jazz are looking to be active

Some huge information recently leaked from a respected NBA source, pinning the Utah Jazz as a team that could be active moving up in the draft. Now, with only a week remaining until the big night, teams are figuring out how they will approach such an important time for the near and distant future of their franchise. The Jazz are doing just that, according to the rumor mill.

Reported by ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Jazz have their eye on making a splash in the lottery, specifically by utilizing their existing capital to make a jump back into the top fourteen:

“Utah holds picks 9, 16, and 28 in next week’s draft. The Jazz are rumored to be dangling picks 16 and 18 to move up in the draft. The Jazz reportedly believe they can address their need for a guard at No. 16, but are rumored to be shopping their latter two first-round picks to move up a few slots in the lottery."

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ESPN’s

 Marc Stein on the Utah Jazz’s draft plans

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With this report, we see that France’s Bilal Coulibaly and Keyontae George are among some players the Jazz have an interest in. Both players have received some hype as lottery picks, especially Coulibaly, who has skyrocketed up draft boards in recent weeks.

Danny Ainge has been one to keep a noticeable eye on Coulibaly, given his recent history of being in France to watch him earlier this offseason. Combined with his recently viral athleticism has touted him as a potentially amazing two-way wing at the NBA level. At a selection like 9th overall without any immediate franchise changers, taking a swing on one of the youngest in the draft that could develop into one with time could be the next best situation.

Here’s just a quick snippet of what The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor had to say about the French forward:

"Superb measurements, a long wingspan, and a wide frame give him elite defensive upside. But he also brings grit and a consistent approach, actively contesting hard on closeouts, jumping passing lanes and flying in to help in the paint as a shot blocker"

"Plays within himself by keeping the ball moving and looking for cutting opportunities. A creative NBA offense could take advantage of his athleticism by using him as a screener to get him going to the basket."

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The Ringer’s

Kevin O’Connor on Bilal Coulibaly

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Along with Coulibaly, Baylor’s Keyontae George is now on the radar for the Jazz. He’s likely the player they would have to trade up to select, but easily feasible given the assets Utah has to play with. George is projected to go 14th overall in The Ringer’s most recent mock, so a small jump to make an acquisition might be the direction the Jazz are leaning at this moment.

Teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, Toronto Raptors, and New Orleans Pelicans are slotted right ahead of 16th overall in the lottery. So, any sort of trade to get a second selection would likely be done with one of these guys, barring any drastic jump up past their first selection.

With the opportunity to pick up another first-rounder or more in a deal to drop back only 2-3 slots, the pitch to leap may not be hard to make. Especially for a team like the Raptors who have a franchise reset looming shortly.

With only a week remaining until June 22nd is here, the Jazz’s clock is starting to wind down to develop their draft strategy.

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