The Utah Jazz did a lot towards the end of the 2019 NBA Draft. Which newcomers are planning to stick around with the team?
The Utah Jazz got their 2019 NBA Draft festivities started early, pulling off a massive trade with the Memphis Grizzlies that secured them quality point guard Mike Conley. That gave the franchise a third “star” to pair with Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert to make them more formidable come playoff time.
They had to give up some assets to get Conley, including their No. 23 overall pick in the NBA Draft. It was a cost they were willing the pay but the Jazz essentially had to wait until near the very end of the draft to get involved.
Utah made a couple of moves to net themselves three selections, at 50, 53, and 58 respectively. It was their chance to lay a claim on a player they felt could be a hidden gem late in the game. All three ended up being mid-major players with a ton of college accomplishments.
They first selected Jarrell Brantley at 50, a 6’7 forward from the College of Charleston. A four-year starter, Brantley averaged 19.4 ppg and a team-leading 8.4 rpg last season to get All-CAA honors. He’s a bit undersized as a power forward but has other traits that the Jazz wanted a closer look at.
Justin Wright-Foreman was taken at No. 53, coming off a season where he ranked second in the nation at 27.1 ppg. He made the All-CAA team as Brantley did but the high scorer from Hofstra took Player of the Year honors as well.
The last pick at 58 came from the Ivy with Miye Oni. The 6’5 wing from Yale also was Conference Player of the Year after averaging 17.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg along with 37% from three-point range. They paid a nice sum of cash in a trade with Golden State to acquire this pick at the end of the draft so Utah must be high on him.
Utah has three second rounders on their roster but who is most likely to stick around with the franchise?