Hopefully, this news doesn't floor you, but it's become clear that the Utah Jazz aren't the only team throwing their hat into the arena to woo Washington into dealing the number-one overall pick. In fact, Utah might not even be that involved in the "trading up" business to begin with.
Should the Utah Jazz trade up for the number-one pick?
Hopefully, this news doesn't floor you, but it's become clear that the Utah Jazz aren't the only team throwing their hat into the arena to woo Washington into dealing the number-one overall pick. In fact, Utah might not even be that involved in the "trading up" business to begin with.
Around the 47th minute of a recent episode of "The Hoop Collective" podcast, Brian Windhorst revealed that the Wizards have made it known that they're willing to deal out the number-one pick, but it might not be Utah -- the usual suspect -- who walks away with that prize.
Yes, Utah, what you have with AJ Dybantsa is special, but don't expect a fairytale ending unless your Prince Charming trade package has a jawline that could cut diamonds. Being able to offer the second overall pick is a distinct advantage, but considering Utah would have the consolation of snagging Darryn Peterson without having to cough up a future first-round pick and/or rising star Ace Bailey, Utah isn't a serious contender to slide up the order.
But the rumor mill keeps churning out story after story and rumor after rumor that Washington doesn't care for the number-one pick. Why is that?
Ironically enough, it could be due to the fact that Washington is in a very similar situation to the very same Utah team that is so heavily tied to that number-one pick.
After collecting two former All-Star talents at the trade deadline (Trae Young and Anthony Davis), the Wizards are looking to compete for a playoff spot in the wide-open Eastern Conference as early as this upcoming season, and their young core is already beginning to mesh.
According to Jake Fischer, the Wizards don't view their team as in need of a "savior" to be the foundation of perpetual success. That quote alone sparked the wildfire of trade rumors and the re-ignition of the overworked ESPN trade machine.
So if a team is anxious to overpay for the top spot, the Wizards would be insane not to at least pick up the phone and learn how much more other organizations might value the top rung of the draft ladder.
That team should not be Utah, whose leadership (namely, the Ainge family) are notorious for squeezing every bit of value from their trade partners when making a deal, not so much the other way around. The number-two pick is immensely valuable in a draft pool that has two number-one caliber prospects.
By any measure, the Jazz are better off passing on this circus and simply taking what the draft gives them.