Jazz Insider Doubtful a Year-1 Game-Changer Can be Had in Round 1

After months of anticipation, the ping pong balls have spoken. Unless the selection is part of a trade, the Utah Jazz will be picking No. 9 overall in the 2023 NBA draft. It could have been worse, but it could be a whole lot better, too. With three picks in the first round, Utah will have opportunities to address some glaring needs.

Utah most likely will draft a point guard at some point. With the No. 9 pick, there should be some nice options, but Jazz fans shouldn’t expect the selection to be making a big impact out of the gates. The Salt Lake Tribune's Andy Larsen touched on this on Spence Checketts The Drive on ESPN 700.

"I don’t know if you're going to be super optimistic to find a point guard at the Mike Conley level,” Larson told Checketts. “You do get some good players at spots No. 9 and 16, but we also know that rookies rarely contribute positively in the league. Walker Kessler was a rare exception to that. We see rookies struggling with inefficiency and not knowing how to play defense and that kind of stuff."

The two point guards that could be available at No. 9 are Anthony Black and Cason Wallace. Cracking an NBA starting lineup in year one after being drafted at the No. 9 slot would be a tall task for either, both of whom will only be 19 years old at the start of next season.

In terms of growing pains, the point guard position is at the top of the list. In fact, the only time a point guard has ever won Rookie of the Year, who was drafted after nine was when Mark Jackson took home the trophy being the No. 18 pick overall in 1988.

In 2022, the New Orleans Pelicans drafted point guard Dyson Daniels from Australia with the No. 8 overall pick. In his first year, Daniels logged 59 games averaging only 3.8 points per contest. Time will tell whether he can develop into a starter moving forward.

Looking back to 2021, the Sacramento Kings took a point guard with the No. 9 pick. Davion Mitchell became a valuable role player because of his defensive prowess, but it’s been a struggle on the offensive side of the ball. Mitchell averaged 5.6 ppg this year in just 17 minutes a game this past year.

Jazz fans may also remember when point guard Deron Williams was selected No. 3 overall in 2005. It took the future All-Star a season before getting into a groove, averaging 10.8 ppg on only 42% from the field in his rookie year.

That said, Utah can afford to be patient if it goes in that direction. By no means does Utah's championship window start next year.

Answers will be coming soon with the NBA draft on June 22 and free agency starting on July 6.

Follow Inside The Jazz on Facebook and Twitter.

Subscribe on YouTube for breaking Jazz news videos and live-stream podcasts!