Insider Links Jazz to Jarace Walker in a Draft Trade-Up

There are draft rumors centered around the Utah Jazz with two days until the big night.

The rumor mill is heating up, with the Utah Jazz being only two days removed from the 2023 NBA draft. According to ESPN draft analyst Jonathon Givony, the Jazz could trade to the No. 5 slot, with Houston’s Jarace Walker being the target.

“NBA teams have an increasing comfort level with Houston’s Jarace Walker — 6-foot-7, 7-foot-2 wingspan. Going to get looks as high as five either from the Pistons themselves or the Utah Jazz — a team like that, that can possibly trade up to number nine.”

Givony meant to say "a team like that, that could possibly trade up to number five." The Jazz front office has been tight-lipped about who they may be targeting on Thursday night. If Jarace Walker is their guy, then trading up with the Detroit Pistons should get it done. According to The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, the Jazz could move up without sacrificing any currently rostered players.

“However, in Utah’s case, I would want a bit more than No. 9 and No. 16 for No. 5, so moving down and take on the risk that one of those five players referenced above may not be available. Essentially, would you trade your pick of that group at No. 5 for something like Kobe Bufkin and Gradey Dick? Or Bilal Coulibaly and Jalen Hood-Schifino? I’d rather just take the player I feel most confident in at No. 5. If Utah added a future first round pick to Nos 9 and 16? Then that would probably tip the scales in the direction to where I would do it.”

Other potential players that could be drafted at five are Amem Thompson, Ausar Thompson, Anthony Black, and Cam Whitmore. However, according to Ginovy, Whitmore’s workouts haven't stood out, and he could slip to where the Jazz currently sit at No. 9.

“He [Whitmore] had that No. 5 spot in our last mock draft. Our new mock draft coming out tomorrow is going to be Walker at five. Where does that leave Whitmore? Possibly six — maybe seven. We’re going to have him at nine to the Utah Jazz. Workouts have just been so-so.”

If the Jazz stay put at No. 9, the two players that Utah could be choosing from are Taylor Hendricks and Bilal Coulibaly. Would the Jazz go with the player with the higher ceiling in Coulibaly or make the safer pick in Hendricks? 

In ESPN’s last mock, the Jazz are drafting Whitemore at No. 9 and Coulibaly at 16. This would be an absolute dream come true scenario for Utah. Jazz fans will get closure in two days.

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