This NBA Draft Prospect Could be Worth Jazz Tanking the Season
The 2023 campaign hasn't gotten off on the right foot thus far for the Utah Jazz. As we near the end of the season's first quarter, the Jazz are 4-11 and would have the seventh-best odds to land the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft.
The chatter last year surrounded tanking for San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama. With Utah currently trending in the wrong direction, is it time to start letting the foot off the gas and play for draft position? What player would make it worth it?
The 2024 draft isn’t loaded with high-ceiling prospects with the same name recognition as the prior year, but one player could be the consensus No. 1 pick when all is said and done.
Just last summer, France's Alexandre Sarr was projected to be a mid-first-round draft pick. In just three months, Sarr's stock has skyrocketed to No. 1 overall on many draft boards.
Sarr is still a raw prospect at only 18 years old, but he possesses the size and length that could be a game-changer for a franchise in the midst of a rebuild. Standing at 7-foot-1 inches with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, he has the body of a center with the skill set of a wing.
Recently, Sarr showcased his talents in a performance against the G-League Ignite, scoring 26 points, 10 rebounds, and six blocked shots. He certainly raised a few eyebrows, and the mock drafts have taken note.
In fact, Hoop Social has Sarr going to the Jazz in their latest mock draft with the No. 1 overall pick.
“Well, there isn’t an ultimate lead guard in this class. And while Sarr would have to take [John] Collins’ spot in the starting group it would be totally worth it. A front line of both Sarr and [Walker] Kessler means no one is scoring at the rim ever. And Sarr can also spread the floor.” — Jordan Ennis
The Oklahoma City Thunder currently possess Utah’s 2024 first-round pick, but it is top-10 protected. If the Jazz are going to be bad this season, they may want to go for broke.
Tanking for Wembanyana was a difficult proposition last year due to Utah’s surprising 10-3 start to the season. Even after the Mike Conley trade at the All-Star break, the Jazz had enough talent to muster enough wins to stay out of the Wembamyana sweepstakes.
This year could be a different story. Utah is one fire sale away from being on a clear path to a top-five lottery pick. If the losses keep piling up, expect the Jazz to go full tank mode soon.
Trading Jordan Clarkson, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Kelly Olynyk to free up minutes for current G-Leagers Taylor Hendricks, Brice Sensabaugh, and Josh Christopher would do the trick. The next 10-15 games fair will go a long way in deciding which path is best for the Jazz to take moving forward.
Follow Inside The Jazz on Facebook and X.
Subscribe on YouTube for breaking Jazz news videos and live-stream!
