Utah Jazz NBA Mock Draft Round-Up: 4.0
Jul 29, 2021, 2:27 PM
NBA draft prospect Josh Christopher (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The NBA Draft is tonight and the Utah Jazz are currently set to make the 30th and final pick of the first round.
The Jazz would have owned the 60th pick in the draft but traded it in 2019 for the draft rights to Jarrell Brantley.
With the draft just hours away, let’s look at who the popular mock draft websites have the Jazz choosing with the 30th pick.
The NBA Draft is tonight.
Here are the 12 players the @UtahJazz are likely looking at and what they offer on the floor. #TakeNote https://t.co/FksunaHtbH
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) July 29, 2021
Utah Jazz NBA Mock Draft Round-Up 4.0
Yahoo Sports – Josh Christopher: Guard – Arizona State
In Yahoo Sports’ latest mock draft, Krysten Peek has the Jazz selecting Josh Christopher out of Arizona State.
A five-star recruit out of high school, Josh Christopher played only 15 games at ASU due to a leg injury that held him out of the final stretch of games of the Sun Devils season but saw his stock climb after a strong showing at the draft combine.
Thought Josh Christopher crushed his Pro Day today. Shot it way better than expected, both off the dribble and with his feet set, showed his power and explosiveness, and went really hard all the way through. Good look for him. pic.twitter.com/4efgJAa4tq
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2021
Christopher averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 assists and 1.5 steals at ASU and shot the ball well enough during the combine weekend to alleviate some concerns over his 30 percent completion rate in college.
The ASU product is an explosive off-guard who excels in transition and projects as a high-level scorer at the next level. Christopher’s brother Patrick had a brief stint with the Jazz in 2014.
ESPN – Miles McBride: Guard – WVU
In the latest ESPN mock draft, West Virginia guard Miles McBride is projected to land with the Jazz. The sophomore guard averaged 15.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists and led WVU to an 11-6 record.
West Virginia guard Miles McBride would bring added defense to the @UtahJazz guard line in Thursday’s draft.
Read more about him here. #TakeNote https://t.co/HzNcPPWL76
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 27, 2021
McBride shot 43 percent from the floor and 41 percent from three while proving to be one of the best on-ball defenders in college basketball last season, but isn’t a natural playmaker despite his impressive assist to turnover ratio.
At 6’1 with a 6’9 wingspan, he can guard both backcourt positions, but might not have the ideal size as a defender in the NBA.
The Ringer – Tre Mann: Guard – Florida
In their latest mock, The Ringer has the Jazz selecting Tre Mann out of Florida.
Mann is a dead-eye shooter averaging 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 45 percent from the floor and 40 percent from the three-point line.
Do the @utahJazz need another shooter/scorer in the NBA draft?
Tre Mann certainly fits the bill. @gatorsmbk | #TakeNote https://t.co/QjUI8UuRKr
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 22, 2021
The guard was one of the more consistent scorers in the SEC last season, failing to reach double-digits in points in only four games as a sophomore. Mann can score both with the ball in his hands and as a spot-up shooter which gives him some high-end potential as a rotation player with better NBA spacing.
He’s not a proven defensive player and his playmaking is average, but his ability to score the ball makes him a relatively safe option in the draft.
Sports Illustrated – Jaden Springer: Guard – Tennessee
In Sports Illustrated’s latest mock, they have the Jazz taking Jaden Springer out of Tennessee.
The guard averaged 12.5 Points, 3.5 Rebounds, and 2.9 Assists for the Volunteers but really shined on the defensive side of the ball where he’s capable of matching up with both backcourt positions and some smaller threes.
He’s young, but he’s a star on the defensive end and shows promise on offense.
Could the @UtahJazz draft Tennessee guard Jaden Springer? #TakeNote https://t.co/2fPL3W6z4I
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 14, 2021
He’s extremely young for his class meaning he may have more room for development than others projected to go late in the draft.
Springer took on a bigger scoring load late in the second half of the season for Tennessee, which saw his points go up, and his shooting percentages drop somewhat dramatically. Learning to score in the NBA will be a key.
NBADraft.net – Joel Ayayi: Guard – Gonzaga
In the latest NBADraft.net mock draft, Gonzaga guard Joel Ayayi is projected to be selected by the Jazz with the 30th pick.
Ayayi had an incredibly efficient year for Gonzaga, averaging 12 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 58 percent from the floor and 39 percent from the three-point as a guard.
Joel Ayayi was one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball and nearly led Gonzaga to a national title.
How would he fit with the @utahjazz in Thursday's #NBADraft? #Takenote https://t.co/cAfdtQoX1y
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 27, 2021
He’s got good size at 6’5 with a roughly 6’7 wingspan and he can really shoot the ball. The junior also proved to be one of the best off-the-ball floor spacers and rebounders among guards with potential as a pick and roll initiator.
Ayayi is not a great shot-creator, playmaker, or defender but his versatility and unique skill set could be a real asset on an already established roster.
