Jazz Stand Pat, Don’t Trade Into Draft
Jun 23, 2022, 11:10 PM
The 2022 NBA Draft board (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – After weeks of rumors leading up to the NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz stood pat, and didn’t acquire either a first or second-round selection.
The Jazz entered the night without a pick after sending their first and second-round selections out in trades in previous seasons, but rather than moving back into the draft, they opted to stay on the outside looking in.
The team was rumored to be involved in potential blockbuster talks that would have sent All-Star Rudy Gobert to the Eastern Conference, but ultimately nothing materialized as speculation died down in the days leading up to the draft.
The NBA draft ends, and the @utahjazz don't make any moves to acquire a pick.
Now interesting to see who they go after as either a two-way player or a simple summer league invite. #TakeNote | @kslsports
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 24, 2022
There were also reports that teams around the league had shown interest in forward Royce O’Neale and guard Mike Conley before the draft, but both players remained Jazzmen heading into free agency which opens on June 30.
The Jazz enter free agency over the luxury tax which limits their mobility in the summer, and will have to adjust the roster via trade should they choose to make alterations.
This marks the first time since 1992 that the Jazz ended draft night without making a selection in either the first or second round.
The Salt Lake City Summer League begins on July 5 and will feature the Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Philadelphia 76ers competing in the three-day, six-game event through July 7.
Here is your full @SLCSummerLeague schedule for 2022.
The @utahjazz, @memgrizz, @okcthunder, and @sixers will play three games each. pic.twitter.com/cgwOWVVlVU
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) May 18, 2022
From there, the Jazz will travel to Las Vegas to compete in the 30-team Summer League between July 7-17.
Each of the NBA’s 30 teams will play five games in Las Vegas, including a championship game between the two teams with the best winning percentage over the first four games of the tournament.
