Utah Jazz Select Walter Clayton Jr, Pick 18 (Trade)

[The Midnight]

See, I could see it go a completely different way tbh.
1.) Trading Lauri for the best haul they can get and fully commit to the young players timeline and another year of tanking for a top pick to team up with Ace Bailey.
2.) Not over-paying for Kessler and having it bite them in the *** like Conley and Clarkson have. Granted, I don’t see this one as much of a concern as other decisions that have to be made. . . but money decisions matter in the new CBA.
3.) Absolutely agree that the Jazz should trade players that don’t fit. I think the Jazz should still be in full-blown asset accumulation mode right now.
4.) Waiting until after the season to see “where things land” could be more detrimental than decisively picking a lane and moving forward with it.

Ok so we’ve drafted more or less “ready to go” talents in this draft compared to previous one, would you agree?

Ace is as ready a talent as they come this draft and Clayton is 22 years old.

Based off of that I’m gonna say AA had moved up our timeline significantly now (not just empty words in the introductory press conference).

If we’re bad again next year we’re gonna get another “ready to go” talent in a top #5 pick.

Add to that the fact that talents like Lauri and Kessler don't grow on trees.

So to conclude, I’m gonna say AA will be keeping those 2 with a view of going full trottle this time next year.

 

[Coach Ellis]

Ok so we’ve drafted more or less “ready to go” talents in this draft compared to previous one, would you agree?

Ace is as ready a talent as they come this draft and Clayton is 22 years old.

Based off of that I’m gonna say AA had moved up our timeline significantly now (not just empty words in the introductory press conference).

If we’re bad again next year we’re gonna get another “ready to go” talent in a top #5 pick.

Add to that the fact that talents like Lauri and Kessler don't grow on trees.

So to conclude, I’m gonna say AA will be keeping those 2 with a view of going full trottle this time next year.

I think they keep Kessler and trade Lauri, Collins, Sexton and Clarkson. They’ll try to stock up on ‘26 picks and then pivot hard to adding new veterans next offseason.

 

[KqWIN]

very weird fit here. jazz must be convinced he's that damn good.

At 18, the biggest concern should probably be getting an NBA level player of any kind. If the Jazz thought WCJ was the best bet, I'd understand it. He was 12th on my board, but a big part of WCJ's case is the certainty of his skillset and ability to contribute right away. Don't think that has any value to us right now.

 

[seattlejazzfan]

I think there is a chance he's really that damn good...

same. i'm always enticed by length and positional size in general, so he wasn't the guy i wanted (didn't not want him either), but i think with his shot making, change of pace, bball iq and competitive nature, he could be pretty special.

 

[Isaiah 1:13]

Yeah, but if you look at the guards that the Ainge’s actually draft, there’s guys like this scattered throughout their record. I probably would’ve gone with Traore or Kas, but I still like the pick. Watching him ball out in the tournament made a fan out of me.

So you’re a fan but you still would have taken Traore or Kas. It’s like the FO wants to look at these guys in a vacuum without any consideration for what we already have. Sexton has to be on the trade block for sure at this point I imagine which means in the short term we’re still moving backwards. And if Cody takes his quantum leap where does that leave Isaiah? Collier had way too good of a season last year to be marginalized before he was even given a chance.

 

[Coach Ellis]

At 18, the biggest concern should probably be getting an NBA level player of any kind. If the Jazz thought WCJ was the best bet, I'd understand it. He was 12th on my board, but a big part of WCJ's case is the certainty of his skillset and ability to contribute right away. Don't think that has any value to us right now.

He’s older, but still only 22. My assumption is that the Jazz pivot HARD next offseason from tanking to competing and I think he’ll spend this year getting his feet underneath him and contributing more the following year and moving forward.

 

[Coach Ellis]

So you’re a fan but you still would have taken Traore or Kas. It’s like the FO wants to look at these guys in a vacuum without any consideration for what we already have. Sexton has to be on the trade block for sure at this point I imagine which means in the short term we’re still moving backwards. And if Cody takes his quantum leap where does that leave Isaiah? Collier had way too good of a season last year to be marginalized before he was even given a chance.

I had both Traore and Kas rated higher, but I’m still a fan of the pick. I think he’ll be a solid role player on a competitive team. I prefer length and upside at this point. . . but he definitely has a bankable skill set to work with. And while he’s an older draft prospect, I don’t think 22 is “OLD” for a guard. Still see lots up upside for him. He’s a bit of a Dawg and we can use more of those guys.

 

[Coach Ellis]

Confidence like this will always be 100% hilarious.

Yeah. I don’t see the Jazz making a move to the top of the 2nd round this year. Still pissed about that trade. Shouldn’t have to make a trade to lock up another solid prospect today.

 

[slc]

I had both Traore and Kas rated higher, but I’m still a fan of the pick. I think he’ll be a solid role player on a competitive team. I prefer length and upside at this point. . . but he definitely has a bankable skill set to work with. And while he’s an older draft prospect, I don’t think 22 is “OLD” for a guard. Still see lots up upside for him. He’s a bit of a Dawg and we can use more of those guys.

I agree Clayton seems to have a very high BBIQ and will figure out very quickly what he has to do to stay on the floor with his size
It seems like that is what most of Jazz players lack A decent BBIQ

 

[zyzz]

When I see WCJ I just think Wendell Carter Jr. Going to have to get used to that lol.

I love how easy of a ball he shoots. That’s one of my main 30 second first impression “scouting” things I look at. One of the reasons I really liked Mitchell in 2017

 

[Park Bites]

I am a big fan of WCJ. He WAS the reason they won the championship. I just HATE the fact that the Jazz draft 2 players that do not want to be here. That scares me the most. Are they going to play well until they get their second contract and thrn want out?

Are the Jazz going to be the developmental team for the rest of the NBA?

 

[Bodhi]

I am a big fan of WCJ. He WAS the reason they won the championship. I just HATE the fact that the Jazz draft 2 players that do not want to be here. That scares me the most. Are they going to play well until they get their second contract and thrn want out?

Are the Jazz going to be the developmental team for the rest of the NBA?

Clayton doesnt want to be here? Where have you seen that? Honest question.