Jazz Land Explosive Kentucky Guard in Latest NBA Mock Draft

The Utah Jazz are looking increasingly likely to keep their first-round selection this summer.

As we inch closer to the end of the 2023-24 NBA regular season, many are starting to look ahead toward the coming draft this summer to project how the top picks could eventually shake out for the bottom of the league.

Considering the Utah Jazz are now within reach to secure their protected first-rounder, we can get a better idea of who might be available for them within the lottery.

The Oklahoma City Thunder hold the Jazz's protected pick 1-10 this offseason due to the Derrick Favors salary dump from a few years ago. While Utah will need to convey that pick one day, it may not be during this summer, thanks to where they sit in the league standings.

They're projected the 9th-overall pick, alongside their late first-rounder at 28th-overall, giving them a prime opportunity to bring in some additional young talent to an already special core. As Sam Vecenie sees it in the latest NBA mock draft on The Athletic, the Jazz could select Kentucky's Rob Dillingham with their first pick.

Vecenie details what we could expect from the 6-3 guard as a prospect, noting his array of offensive traits making him stand out as a lottery selection: 

"Dillingham is a prospect with dizzying highs and significant question marks. Scouts love his elite speed with the ball in his hands, in addition to his touch. Dillingham, who is averaging 15 points and 3.8 assists per game this season while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 44 percent from 3, maintains his control at a high level despite playing at a fast pace. He uses a bevy of quick crossovers and maximizes his speed with well-timed hesitation moves to change pace."

The Jazz could go a variety of ways come draft night, but bringing in a backcourt mate to grow alongside Keyonte George may not be the worst direction to go. With the long-term future of Jordan Clarkson on this roster being in question, Dillingham could bring an offensive spark to a unit that could be in need.

The hit rate we've seen from recent Kentucky guards in the NBA also makes the addition of Dillingham in Salt Lake City much more appealing. With star guards like Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, Devin Booker, Tyrese Maxey, and De'Aaron Fox being some of the best the league has to offer, it makes you wonder if Rob can provide a similar impact.

Vecenie continues in his scouting evaluation to draw some parallels to Lou Williams as a comparison for Dillingham as he enters the league:

My best NBA comparison for Dillingham is Lou Williams, a three-time Sixth Man of the Year award winner who started just 11 percent of his 1,123 NBA games. Where would a team take Williams in this class? My best bet is in the back end of the lottery, but it seems Dillingham’s range extends from No. 5 to No. 15 or so. There are enormous fans of Dillingham out there who love his explosiveness and skill, and others who don’t love his game at all and worry about his capability to close games.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Jazz have a lot to like on their roster, highlighted by building blocks like George, Brice Sensabaugh, and Lauri Markkanen showing they are capable of being strong and dependable nightly scorers. However, bringing Dillingham into the mix could provide another weapon and a more dynamic unit with more firepower and explosiveness.

As we get closer to the highly-anticipated lottery reveal and NBA Draft, the Jazz will continue to be one of the most intriguing teams to keep an eye on.

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