Utah has two high picks in Thursday’s draft. They may need to get higher for the player they want.
Yahoo’s Jake Fischer reports that the Jazz are trying to move up from their picks at No. 9 and No. 16 in the first round because they’re targeting a certain player. That player seems to be Anthony Black, a 6-foot-7 freshman wing out of Arkansas.
Black was a strong passer and a good defender on his way to making the SEC All-Freshman team, and he’s a good enough athlete that he was highly recruited as a football player.
Utah doesn’t think he’ll last until they pick at No. 9, apparently believing Washington would love to get Black as their replacement for Bradley Beal at No. 8. They’ve reportedly made offers to Indiana, picking at No. 7, but fear they might have to get ahead of Orlando at No. 6 – despite the possibility that the Magic gave Ausar Thompson a draft promise.
That’s why the Jazz are reportedly trying to make a deal with the Detroit Pistons, who drafted a similar-sized athletic shooting guard in the lottery last year, in Jaden Ivey. Utah can dangle No. 9 or No. 16, and also Philadelphia’s pick at No. 28. They’re also reportedly willing to move Collin Sexton, who has three years and $54.5 million left on his contract.
The Jazz hope Detroit either has a strong interest in Sexton or only mild interest in Black. If the Pistons have multiple prospects they’re considering at No. 5, then perhaps they’d be willing to gamble that a player they want will still be there at No. 9. Of course, with a roster that already features seven former first-round picks 22 and younger, Detroit may not be looking to add two or three more.
Outside of the top three picks, the top of the lottery could be unpredictable. But it looks like the Jazz are certain about their target.
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