Where the Jazz Ended Up in the Team's 8 Previous Draft Lotteries
Since the NBA Draft Lottery implementation in 1985, the Utah Jazz have had only eight total appearances in the event's history. However, this year marks the first time in six years that Utah will be hoping for the ping pong balls to fall in their favor. Considering the team's rare appearance in the lottery, it's easy to forget how the franchise has fared the times they have been there.
With only one top-three draw in franchise history, and only a total of three in the top ten, the Jazz typically don't have an excess of luck when it comes to the lottery. Let's dive into how exactly if and how the board has moved for the Jazz in their past lotteries:
2004 Lottery: projected 14th overall pick (42-40)
Kicking things off with the Jazz's first lottery selection, the franchise didn't have much of an impact this year. Considering the team's overall winning record, they only had a 0.5% chance of reaching the first pick. In the end, the team stayed put at their original projection, deciding to select Kris Humphries.
Result: Stayed at the 14th-overall pick (Kris Humphries)
2005 Lottery: projected 5th overall pick (27-55)
This year is when the Jazz began to have some major stake in the lottery. An injury-riddled season led to both Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko missing over a quarter of the season. On the bright side, the team got the 5th-best odds at securing number one. The bad news is that Utah fell a spot due to the Milwaukee Bucks jumping five spots ahead of their projection, securing number one overall.
Result: Moved down one spot to the 6th-overall pick (traded up to 3rd via POR to select Deron Williams)
2006 Lottery: projected 14th overall pick (41-41)
The trade-up for Deron Williams proved to be a successful one considering the team's 14-game win increase over one season. However, this unfortunately means poor lottery odds with a slim-to-none chance of moving up at all. In the end, the Jazz met those expectations.
Result: Stayed at the 14th-overall pick (Ronnie Brewer)
2011 Lottery: projected 6th & 12th overall pick (39-43)
After a four-year lottery hiatus, the Jazz returned to the NBA lottery with not one, but two NBA lottery selections. The Deron Williams-Brooklyn Nets trade deadline deal gave the Jazz a notable haul of Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, and two future first-round picks. Lucky enough for the Jazz this Nets pick ended up shockingly falling within the top three.
Result: Moved up to the 3rd-overall pick (BKN) (Enes Kanter) & stayed at the 12th-overall pick (Alec Burks)
2013 Lottery: projected 14th overall pick (43-39)
Shocking! This year, the Jazz were predicted to get the 14th overall pick once again. However, unlike two seasons ago, it was far more unlikely for Utah to jump up in this lottery. With another season of 0.5% odds of jumping to one, we couldn’t expect much more.
Result: Stayed at the 14th-overall pick (Shabazz Muhammad, traded to MIN)
2014 Lottery: projected 4th overall pick (25-57)
This season marks the highest projection in the team’s history. In a draft consisting of players such as Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid at the top, the Jazz were hopeful some luck would come their way in this year’s lottery.
Not only did they not jump up at all; they dropped down a spot.
Result: Moved down one spot to the 5th-overall pick (Dante Exum)
2015 Lottery: projected 12th overall pick (38-44)
After just one year of having top-five lottery odds, the Jazz moved back to where they usually stand in the lottery: with virtually no chance of moving up. This year’s selection would eventually be used as the asset that allowed Utah to acquire future All-Star, Donovan Mitchell.
Result: Stayed at the 12th-overall pick (Trey Lyles)
2016 Lottery: projected 12th overall pick (40-42)
While this is the last time we saw the Jazz enter the lottery, don’t expect anything different! This makes the third time the Jazz were projected, and ended up picking 12th overall. Considering the team’s three selections at 12 and three selections at 14, the overall total of eight previous lottery picks, there’s a legitimate case for the Jazz to be considered one of the most successful teams in the draft lottery era.
In the end, the Jazz didn’t even end up making this pick, trading the rights to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team trade to acquire George Hill.
Result: Stayed at the 12th-overall pick (Taurean Prince, traded to ATL)
This year, the Jazz will have the opportunity to move up for the first time in franchise history. Will we see the team finally get luck to be on their side, or will this lottery share the same fate as years past?
The NBA Draft Lottery will be live on Tuesday, May 16th at 6 PM MST where the Jazz will have the chance to make their mark on the league.
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