Ideal 2026 draft - January edition

[jazznik]

Lets dream and think what should the Jazz do if they get the 1st pick in 2026. But, unlike last year, there does not appear a clear-cut number one prospect. So, please make your choice by taking into account account potential, character, the fit with the rest of the Jazz, their inclination to play in Utah, injury risk etc.

So, what do you dream about?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

There's an entire draft thread

 

[jazznik]

There's an entire draft thread

So, why are you here then?

P.S. I like polls. There are no polls in the draft thread.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

their inclination to play in Utah

Wow, tanking is looking better and better. You trash several seasons in a row, waste the prime of a max All Star... and then the big prize might not even want to play for the Jazz.

Genius.

 

[Park Bites]

I went other. I am firmly on the Wagler bandwagon.

 

[jazznik]

Wow, so far it looks that people are pretty equally split between Peterson, Dybantsa and Boozer. I chose Boozer because he has the highest floor, can be the secondary playmaker and the PF is the position of need for the Jazz. I also hope that because of his dad's history he may actually like playing for the Jazz.

 

[LogGrad98]

Wow, tanking is looking better and better. You trash several seasons in a row, waste the prime of a max All Star... and then the big prize might not even want to play for the Jazz.

Genius.

No one wants to play for the jazz. Get over it. You think every player wouldn't love to be in 1) a big city with bigger endorsements exposure and contracts or 2) their hometown? Literally no one, pre-draft, is saying "I'm so excited the jazz might get the first pick, it's really where I want to be".

 

[LogGrad98]

Wow, so far it looks that people are pretty equally split between Peterson, Dybantsa and Boozer. I chose Boozer because he has the highest floor, can be the secondary playmaker and the PF is the position of need for the Jazz. I also hope that because of his dad's history he may actually like playing for the Jazz.

Why? His dad hated it here. Couldn't wait to get out. "Gotsta get paid."

 

[fishonjazz]

No one wants to play for the jazz. Get over it. You think every player wouldn't love to be in 1) a big city with bigger endorsements exposure and contracts or 2) their hometown? Literally no one, pre-draft, is saying "I'm so excited the jazz might get the first pick, it's really where I want to be".

This is a reason why AJ should have the edge.
He might actually prefer Utah over the rest of the NBA.
He preferred Utah over the rest of the country once already.

 

[LogGrad98]

This is a reason why AJ should have the edge.
He might actually prefer Utah over the rest of the NBA.
He preferred Utah over the rest of the country once already.

Eh, college is a different animal fundamentally, but I'll give you that one.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

If our starting lineup of the future consists of Key, Ace, Lauri, and Kessler then our 5th guy needs to have, in order of importance: perimeter defense, off ball defense, ball handling/playmaking, shooting.

- Peterson fits that bill the best besides the playmaking which he hasn't shown much of.
- A.J. would probably be next, but I would say the off ball defense and ball handling needs improvement, and the shooting is a big question mark.
- Boozer could fit in well on offense, but he wouldn't solve our most important gaps on perimeter defense.