Jazz Final Predictions for 2024 NBA Draft

The 2024 NBA Draft begins Wednesday at 6 p.m. MT. With mock drafts and speculation everywhere you turn, I wanted to break down my ideal draft for the Utah Jazz. As you all know, the team holds the 10th, 29th, and 32nd picks. The Jazz are also equipped with an abundance of future first-round picks that can be used to persuade other teams in trade talks. With a young team and the flexibility to go in many directions, this should be a fun offseason for the Jazz and their fans, so let’s get to it.

With the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz select Nikola Topic.

A player who was projected to be a No. 1 overall pick before injuring his knee in January, Topic returned to the court in early April, where he reinjured his knee. Diagnosed with a partially torn ACL, Topic will likely have to redshirt his first NBA season, something Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Chet Holmgren have all done.

Topic is a highly decorated 18-year-old from Serbia. He uses excellent acceleration, good angle management, and an elite touch to get to the basket and finish with incredible efficiency. Topic is also arguably the best passer in the class, using his gravity to draw defenders and set up teammates. At 6’6”, he has exceptional positional size, which the Jazz love.

Topic’s weaknesses are injuries, shooting, and defense. First, players can bounce back faster and stronger than ever. Injury wouldn’t scare me for a Jazz team that plays the long game. Shooting needs work, but Topic is already an elite free throw shooter with good form. I think that will diminish as he gets more reps, gets stronger, and improves his shooting arc. Defensively, he needs work. He does have the variables of size and age on his side, though.

With the 29th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz selected Tyler Smith.

This is my ideal draft, right? Smith has long been projected well above the Jazz at the 29th pick, but recent reports have him all over the place. Smith is a 6’2” forward from G-League Ignite who can really shoot the ball. He has a great left-handed shot, a good midfield game, and very good athleticism. Adding another forward who can stretch defenses is beyond intriguing to me.

The problem with him is his defense, and that needs work. But like Topic, Smith is young and has good size. He was in an Ignite situation last year that didn’t do well, so getting into a competitive environment should bring out the best in him. Hopefully he’s there at 29.

With the 32nd pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz select Pacome Dadiet.

I would be remiss if we didn’t take at least one French prospect at some point in this draft. Dadiet was a late riser in the draft process and might not even be on the board at this point. He is a fluid offensive player with an excellent shot, whether it’s stepping back or spotting up. Dadiet also posted the best athletic stats of any French prospect at the NBA combine.

He’s another 18-year-old at 6’4″ and I’m impressed with his ability to handle the ball and read plays. Like many others, Dadiet is still evolving defensively and struggles to contain the ball at times. If he’s still on the board at this point (or at 29), I think he’d be a worthy pick over Danny Ainge and company.

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