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As the June 22 NBA draft draws near and as you’re wading through multiple mock drafts from every corner of the internet and sports sphere, make sure to keep in mind that just because a team has picks, doesn’t mean they’ll use them.
The Utah Jazz are going into draft night with three first-round selections — No. 9, No. 16 and No. 28. But there’s no guarantee the Jazz will even select at any of those spots.
The options are so wide-ranging for the Jazz. They could choose to hold onto the No. 9 pick and make a selection and trade the other two picks away. They could choose to keep No. 9 and No. 16 and trade the 28th pick. But, they could also make moves that none of us are even thinking about yet.
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Every day that passes as we get closer to the draft, team executives are calling and texting and spitballing and negotiating and trying to figure out who is willing to part with what for how much. With how many picks the Jazz have in this draft and future drafts, you better believe that their phones are buzzing with regularity.
The Jazz could end up moving up in the draft by packaging picks, players and future assets. They could also be trading out of the draft if there is a player available that strikes their fancy.
For anyone wanting some proof that the Jazz could be thinking about trading up, think about who the Jazz have shown interest in. Villanova product Cam Whitmore is projected to be off the board by the time the ninth pick comes around for the Jazz, but Whitmore said he had a workout scheduled with the Jazz.
The Jazz have also shown interest in and interviewed multiple top-10 picks, including Alabama star Brandon Miller while the front office was in Chicago during the NBA combine, and Miller is projected to be a top-three pick in the upcoming draft.
So while the understandable focus is going to be on the three spots that the Jazz currently have locked up, don’t be too shocked if things change.
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This week on ‘Unsalvageable’
Check out “Unsalvageable,” hosted by Deseret News Utah Jazz beat reporter Sarah Todd and lifelong Jazz fan Greg Foster (no, not that Greg Foster).
The Unsalvageable crew is on summer break, but the episode catalog is chock-full of great insight and information. Stay tuned, the show will return next week!
New episodes come out every week. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and anywhere else you stream podcasts.
Stat of the week
In Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Denver stars Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray became the first duo to record 30-point triple doubles, in any game, in NBA history. They combined for 66 points, 31 rebounds, and 20 points.
From the archives
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Extra points
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Steve Wojciechowski rediscovered joy for hoops with his kids in Park City (Deseret News)
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Ryan Smith talks Jazz TV deal, says ‘Everyone’s going to have access’ (Deseret News)
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Jazz assistant GM David Fizdale joins Suns coaching staff (Deseret News)
Around the league
Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro ruled out for Game 4.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton had surgery on right knee after playoffs.
Chris Paul and Phoenix Suns weighing options for his future with the team.
Up next
June 22 | 6:30 p.m. | NBA draft | ESPN
Full NBA Finals schedule here.
