Is the scrappy Richie Saunders a worthy proposition as a late-first, early-second-round pick?
We had our fun with the whole "Washington doesn't want to draft AJ Dybantsa" melarkey and its ensuing hailstorm of rumors, but by all appearances (and with the power of rationality) the Wizards seem dead-set on staying the course and picking the obvious number-one pick after all.
The Utah Jazz, in turn, will likely pick up the slighted Darryn Peterson and pair him alongside star guard Keyonte George in a backcourt that might just threaten the very best in the NBA in a few years' time.
The Jazz were heavily tied to the trade market around Washington's number-one pick thanks to their ownership's endless ties to hometown hero and BYU superstar AJ Dybantsa. Ryan Smith practically funded Dybantsa's collegiate season in Provo. They were reported to have reached out and inquired as to Washington's asking price for the top spot, and were quickly brought back down to Earth, intent on retaining the second pick.
After all, why pay hand over fist for Dybantsa, when you can have a player just as deserving of the number-one pick for free? That's simple math.
But just because Utah likely won't come away with AJ Dybantsa in this year's draft, that doesn't mean the Jazz have to leave the Barclays Center empty-handed from a BYU standpoint.
After all, another BYU star has been gathering buzz on the road to the NBA Draft.
Richie Saunders, the Cougars' glue-guy-turned-the-guy, has been projected as a mid-to-late second-round pick in most mock drafts. But if you ask Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor and Sam Vecenie, the 24-year-old rookie is deserving of a late first-round pick.
So with Dybantsa out, maybe Saunders fills the void? His selection would certainly grab the approval of joint-custody BYU/Jazz fans in the Beehive State. Beyond pure popularity, however, there are plenty of reasons to buy into an investment in the two-time All-Big 12 honoree.
Despite being a 38.7% career three-point shooter, Saunders is much more than a one-note prospect. Known for his infinite motor and hustle, this Cougar does a team's dirty work from everywhere on the floor. He subscribes to the ancient ideology of caring at the defensive end, and has developed a muscular frame through his four-year college career.
Sure, he's practically a bingo night regular by NBA rookie standards, and he suffered a gutting ACL tear near the end of the college hoops regular season, but he's been anything but injury prone to this point in his career.
But can the Jazz actually get him, even if they wanted him?
Utah has zero second-round draft picks this year, so hoping he slides in the order won't be enough on its own. With three second-round picks at their disposal in 2027, those are practically empty assets for a team in Utah's position of aiming to win now.
If Saunders is ready to go from day one -- he'll be 25 by the time the season begins -- he could be a critical depth piece for a team lacking in that area. Perhaps trading three second-round picks for an early second in this year's draft isn't such a tall task, so long as Utah agrees with Yahoo's career projection.
