Who can the Jazz target with the No. 9 pick? Here are 5 potential prospects

The NBA’s Draft lottery is finally in the rearview mirror, and the Utah Jazz finally know they have the No. 9 pick once June 22 rolls around. So, if you are a Jazz fan, here’s a post-lottery synopsis of who to look for at that pick.

A twist here is that I’m going to use my own opinion and thoughts in this one — more than I usually do. The order I used isn’t the order of prospects on the board, but more so the likelihood that prospect will be available when the Jazz pick. I think Utah is in a good position and there should be some great options for the Jazz once their pick rolls around.

In the coming days and weeks, I’ll do the same for the No. 16 pick, and then for the No. 28 pick, because the Jazz own picks at those spots as well. But for now, here’s the initial list for the No. 9 pick.

Of the nine players I think are potentially the most impactful in this draft, Black is probably the one to most likely be available at No. 9.

What I have always liked about Black are the things that don’t show up in a stat sheet. He makes a lot of passes that lead to the assist. He makes a lot of defensive rotations that lead to turnovers. At 6-foot-7, he’s one of the best on-ball defenders in the class. I think he has a chance to be a really good pick-and-roll player in the league. The Razorbacks were around plus 15 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor this season, and I don’t think that’s a coincidence at all.

He reminds me a lot of Oklahoma City guard Josh Giddey. They are both connectors, guys who make plays. Without being a 3-point shooter, Giddey has figured out how to score at the NBA level. I think Black is a better defender than Giddey.

What I’m worried about with Black, as well as scouts around the league, is the scoring. Not so much the shot making from above the arc. I think Black’s form will allow his shot to eventually come around. But, when Black gets into the lane, he’s got to be more of a scoring threat. He was too reluctant in too many situations at Arkansas this year. But, if that part of his game comes around, you’re looking at a big and athletic guard who can play on both ends of the floor. His defense would be valuable in almost any situation. He would make the Jazz switchable defensively, and give the Jazz some perimeter size and length. He’s got a chance to be a good one.

I think Walker and Taylor Hendricks are elite defensive prospects whose floors will be high-impact players over the next decade.

With Walker, his wingspan allows him to be a terrific secondary rim protector. He moves his feet well enough defensively to survive on the perimeter. He’s switchable with size and length, which is what the Jazz need on their roster. Through a bunch of conversations, I’ve realized that I may be higher on Walker than some of the consensus among prognosticators and decision-makers. A chief reason for that is I think Walker can be a terrific offensive player. And if he becomes that, he becomes a franchise-level talent.

It would take him being in the right situation, with the right opportunity and development, because his offense has to progress significantly. Specifically, that’s his shot from 3-point range, which is passable at this stage, and his game off the dribble. But when watching him this season, his passing stood. He makes a lot of good reads and he makes a lot of plays for others. As Jazz fans saw this season with Kelly Olynyk, a playmaker out of the power forward spot is valuable. He’s someone who is plug-and-play because his defense and his body will be good enough to get him onto the floor. I think he’s a terrific prospect.

What’s overlooked about Ausar in relation to his brother, Amen, is that Ausar is a good enough ballhandler and a terrific playmaker. He has a chance to develop into a point guard in his own right. At the very least, he projects as a point forward, which has significant value as well.

Much has been made about the lack of jumpers from the Thompson twins, but, and I’ve said this before: the intel on them is extremely positive. Among league executives, they are known as competitive and hard-working guys who will take their craft seriously.

Currently, I think the lack of a jumper is more of a hinderance to Ausar than Amen. The reasons? Ausar, while being a terrific athlete, isn’t quite the world-class athlete that his brother is. Also, Ausar plays a position that relies more on being able to spread the floor.

Still, Ausar Thompson is a terrific defender and a good playmaker on offense. He’s good in transition, and can play three spots on offense. He’s another prospect that would fit in extremely well with the Jazz.

He’s possibly my favorite realistic draft pick for the Jazz at No. 9.

The problem now is he might not be a realistic option on draft night. I just don’t know how far he slips in this draft. The more I watch, the less I think he will be available at nine. He’s just a perfect fit for Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler in the frontcourt. He’s a terrific rim protector and athlete. He’s unique in that he can defend on the perimeter. He makes 40 percent of his 3-pointers. He would be a perfect spacer on offense, and would be a terror on the other end, especially playing with Kessler.

Think of prime Derrick Favors, the way he could defend near and away from the basket. Now imagine him being a 40 percent shooter on volume from above the arc.

Hendricks’ one drawback is that he isn’t great off the dribble, and that puts him for now more in the 3-and-D category. It’s the one difference between him and Walker. Jarace is more developed right now off the bounce.

But, and this is with all of the prospects the Jazz can draft, Utah’s development of almost everyone this past season has been significant. So if I were a Jazz fan, I would bet on the development and the Jazz’s ability to round out the games of whichever player they select.

I have Wallace at No. 10 on my personal big board, which means he would miss the first nine guys I talked about above.

That said, I think he’s a really good prospect and a potential starter for 10 years in the NBA. I think he’s possibly the best on-the-ball defender in the draft class. I think he’s going to be better in the league once he gets into NBA spacing.

What I struggle with is the overall upside. Can he become a star? Can he take his game up three or four notches? If anything, I shouldn’t bet against him, because I shouldn’t bet against Kentucky guards. They often become excellent players at the NBA level, and Wallace might not be the exception.

But even if this is his floor, his defense is so valuable, that it’s only so far he can slip. The way he moves his feet and stays in front of his guy. The way he navigates over screens. Those skills alone will make him, at worst, a valuable NBA player.

He reminds me a lot of Marcus Smart in the way he plays. And, to me, you compete for titles with players like Marcus Smart.