Utah Jazz 2025 NBA Mock Draft Roundup 1.0
Leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft, our Utah Jazz Mock Draft Roundup will highlight recent picks for the Utah Jazz from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Jazz:
2. Dylan Harper, Rutgers
Dylan Harper caught a nasty flu recently that limited his minutes and productivity, even losing nine pounds. Harper has an elite ability to create his own shot especially at the rim, per CBB Analytics, and he is still leading all freshmen in unassisted field goals per game by a wide margin this season. He has a strong case as the most intriguing offensive prospect in this class.
20. Egor Demin, BYU
Russia's Egor Demin was initially having one of the strongest freshman campaigns of anyone in the nation for BYU. But per our research via Bart Torvik, he currently has the largest difference between his box plus-minus on the season (5.9) relative to his performance against top-100 competition (-2.0) among all of the prospects we have projected in the first round. His size and playmaking still makes him intriguing, but perhaps another year in school could help his overall trajectory.
29. Alex Karaban, Connecticut
There are always teams looking to improve their 3-point shooting and UConn's Alex Karaban deserves some attention. He is shooting 43.0 percent on a high volume of 6.7 attempts per game, which is a career-high for the two-time NCAA national champion.
5. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
This is where it gets very uncertain. Edgecombe hasn't played like the top-five prospect advertised just yet, but his athleticism, competitiveness and defensive upside are undeniable. He's 9 for 21 from behind the arc in his last five games. If he can keep that pace and eliminate some of those offensive no-show nights (four points vs. Gonzaga, two vs. New Orleans, four vs. Iowa State), he could appeal to someone like Danny Ainge.
16. Derik Queen, Maryland
All Queen has ever done is produce. It started when he was a freshman at Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore, continued with Team Thrill in the Under Armour Association, and now at Montverde Academy. There will be questions about how his game will translate, especially defensively, but his hands, touch, rebounding and passing are all assets.
30. Noah Penda, Le Mans (France)
An ascending Frenchman, Penda is strong, skilled and very smart. It's very possible he continues to trend up in the coming months and isn't available by this point.
Bleacher Report — Jonathan Wasserman
5. Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
Kasparas Jakucionis is currently out with a forearm injury, but he recently added more late-game execution to the scouting reel during Illinois' win over Washington. His game and poise continue to radiate pro vibes, with Jakucionis using skill, IQ, improvisation and shotmaking to make plays without any advantageous athletic trait.
At 6'6", he does seem to offer enough offensive versatility for teams to picture an interchangeable combo guard. But the primary draw to Jakicionis is his lead-guard potential, based on the command he's demonstrated in pick-and-rolls and his ability to balance/generate offense with self-created offense and playmaking.
Some scouts have moved him into the next tier behind Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper.
At 6'6", he does seem to offer enough offensive versatility for teams to picture an interchangeable combo guard. But the primary draw to Jakicionis is his lead-guard potential, based on the command he's demonstrated in pick-and-rolls and his ability to balance/generate offense with self-created offense and playmaking.
Some scouts have moved him into the next tier behind Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper.
16. Egor Demin, BYU
The jumbo playmaker archetype will entice and keep interest alive in Egor Demin.
His flaws have been exposed in recent weeks, with the 6'9" ball-handler struggling to create uncontested looks and make jumpers.
NBA teams will likely bank on Demin's downhill attacking and passing in transition and pick-and-roll sets. They may have to gamble on his shooting become more reliable or deem any shotmaking progress as bonus.
His flaws have been exposed in recent weeks, with the 6'9" ball-handler struggling to create uncontested looks and make jumpers.
NBA teams will likely bank on Demin's downhill attacking and passing in transition and pick-and-roll sets. They may have to gamble on his shooting become more reliable or deem any shotmaking progress as bonus.
30. Miles Byrd, San Diego State
Miles Byrd should start drawing more attention with an appealing mix of 6'7" size, shotmaking confidence, ball-screen playmaking flashes and defensive instincts. However, teams may hesitate to slot him confidently with first-rounders until they see him against more noteworthy opponents or prospects at the NBA combine.
5. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
Edgecombe hasn't been particularly impressive this season, but scouts remain excited about his blend of athleticism and motor. A big part of the reason Edgecombe remains this high is that very few other prospects have screamed up the board to take the slot from him.
Edgecombe's ability to impact the game when he doesn't have the ball has stood out to scouts. He's an excellent defender who uses his athleticism and strength to disrupt everything opposing players do at the point of attack. He's aggressive and hawking in passing lanes. He's a monster weakside rim protector for a guard. While he struggles to play with the ball in his hand compared to what a top-five pick usually looks like, he is a good decision-maker who doesn't make many mistakes.
The key with Edgecombe the rest of the way will be proving that he can shoot it at a higher clip than he has thus far (he made over 40 percent from 3 off the catch in each of his last two seasons at Long Island Lutheran) and continuing to show any growth the ball in his hands. As I mentioned in the preseason, I've felt for a long time like Edgecombe's left hand is a serious issue, and he needs to keep working on his comfort level to actualize his ability to navigate creases and cracks in the defense out of ball screens. Right now, he looks most similar to someone like an explosive Gary Harris. That's a valuable player, but I don't know that it's someone teams will be particularly enthusiastic about at No. 5.
Edgecombe's ability to impact the game when he doesn't have the ball has stood out to scouts. He's an excellent defender who uses his athleticism and strength to disrupt everything opposing players do at the point of attack. He's aggressive and hawking in passing lanes. He's a monster weakside rim protector for a guard. While he struggles to play with the ball in his hand compared to what a top-five pick usually looks like, he is a good decision-maker who doesn't make many mistakes.
The key with Edgecombe the rest of the way will be proving that he can shoot it at a higher clip than he has thus far (he made over 40 percent from 3 off the catch in each of his last two seasons at Long Island Lutheran) and continuing to show any growth the ball in his hands. As I mentioned in the preseason, I've felt for a long time like Edgecombe's left hand is a serious issue, and he needs to keep working on his comfort level to actualize his ability to navigate creases and cracks in the defense out of ball screens. Right now, he looks most similar to someone like an explosive Gary Harris. That's a valuable player, but I don't know that it's someone teams will be particularly enthusiastic about at No. 5.
19. Kam Jones, Marquette
Jones has stepped wonderfully into the role vacated by Tyler Kolek, running Marquette's offense gloriously. He is averaging 20 points, five rebounds and nearly seven assists per game, but more importantly, he's also doing it while limiting his mistakes. The guard basically only takes good shots, and he turns it over just 1.6 times per game, giving him more than a 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He's also an elite finisher, with pristine gathers and footwork blended with perfect touch in the painted area. He's making 53.5 percent of his shots in total but also a sparkling 70 percent of his shots at the rim. There will always be some defensive concerns with Jones, but he's answered big questions this year in terms of his ability to run an offense, which gives NBA teams a bit more confidence that he can play next to star players as a point guard who can play both on and off the ball. Jones is also only hitting 34 percent from 3 so far, but don't fret, as that won't last. He's a career 38 percent 3-point shooter on over six attempts per game. There are no worries about his jumper long term.
30. Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
Kalkbrenner has also been elite as an older big man this season. With very legitimate NBA size and length at 7-1, the Creighton star has long been one of the best rim protectors in college basketball. That hasn't changed this season even though Creighton is 9-6. Opponents shoot just 45.1 percent from 2-point range against the Bluejays and also never get to the foul line. His 7.1 percent block rate is right in line with his career marks. Kalkbrenner is also averaging 17.1 points per game and shooting 66.9 percent from the field despite taking over one 3 per game and not having a true point guard. He's a reliable presence and looks every bit the part of a backup NBA big man in an era when there are actually enough of those to go around. Teams see him somewhere in the No. 25 to No. 40 range right now.
3. Ace Bailey, Rutgers
Utah will likely take a patient approach with its roster and should have a strong chance to select early in this lottery. A big, explosive wing such as Bailey would be a grand addition for the Jazz after a difficult season, offering All-Star potential with his exceptional shot-making prowess and overall scoring instincts. He has been up and down from game to game and possession to possession on both ends of the floor, but he is one of the draft's best shooters. He brings insatiable aggressiveness and a strong motor defensively.
Scouts will be watching how much the game slows down for Bailey as the season moves on with his shot selection, decision-making and feel for the game a significant work in progress. Still, he's young (18) and has a world of potential -- often making impossible shots look easy but he's also mistake-prone on both ends. -- Givony
Scouts will be watching how much the game slows down for Bailey as the season moves on with his shot selection, decision-making and feel for the game a significant work in progress. Still, he's young (18) and has a world of potential -- often making impossible shots look easy but he's also mistake-prone on both ends. -- Givony
18. Noa Essengue, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
This is the second of Utah's three first-round picks, this one coming from Minnesota in the Rudy Gobert trade. A developmental player such as Essengue, who turned 18 last month and has held his own this season in Germany, would land in a beneficial long-term situation should he go to Utah.
Essengue has a terrific frame and offers two-way versatility at power forward. The long-term questions center on his perimeter shooting (19% from 3) and he struggles with physicality. It's going to take him time to add strength and develop his offense, but Essengue's youth and the fact he's adding value to a winning team at Ulm bolster his first-round case. -- Woo
Essengue has a terrific frame and offers two-way versatility at power forward. The long-term questions center on his perimeter shooting (19% from 3) and he struggles with physicality. It's going to take him time to add strength and develop his offense, but Essengue's youth and the fact he's adding value to a winning team at Ulm bolster his first-round case. -- Woo
29. Michael Ruzic, Joventut (Spain)
With the last of their three projected first-round picks, the Jazz might take a swing on a younger international prospect with flexibility on where he plays next season. Ruzic has been out since mid-October because of a thumb injury but is nearing a return for his Spanish team, which has kept his stock in neutral as other players have ascended around the college realm.
Ruzic's size, skill level, and feel for the game are intriguing at 18 years old. He possesses outstanding instincts on both ends of the floor and appears to have significant room for growth physically. Hitting the ground running won't be easy in the ACB, but Ruzic is the type of talent NBA teams will want to monitor for the remainder of the season, which should extend into June. -- Givony
Ruzic's size, skill level, and feel for the game are intriguing at 18 years old. He possesses outstanding instincts on both ends of the floor and appears to have significant room for growth physically. Hitting the ground running won't be easy in the ACB, but Ruzic is the type of talent NBA teams will want to monitor for the remainder of the season, which should extend into June. -- Givony
5. Tre Johnson, Texas
The five-star freshman has only increased his stock since arriving in Austin and fits the modern-day NBA mold at 6-6 with a 7-foot wingspan. He's a three-level scorer, shown by the fact he's averaging 18.4 points per game while shooting 46% from the floor for the Longhorns. Johnson has great bounce, can really thrive in the midrange and understands how to get to advantageous spots where he can consistently knock down shots, shooting 40% from 3-point territory.
13. Egor Demin, BYU
At 6-9, Demin's size and playmaking skill set are the biggest reasons why he is a lottery pick in my mock despite the fact that he has struggled to score as of late. He is a tremendous playmaker, though, averaging six assists per game and consistently using the lane to make things happen for those around him. He is a solid rebounder and defender as well, with pro experience with Real Madrid in Spain. His perimeter shooting needs work, but Demin is more than worthy of a lottery ticket.