The Utah Jazz came into the 2023 NBA Draft with three first-round picks and plenty of needs on a roster that is both talented and incomplete. Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler are the sure bets, but how the team fills out around them is still an open question.
Defense and shooting in the frontcourt and shot-creation in the backcourt were two specific needs that the Jazz had coming into Thursday night. They addressed the first two with the No. 9 pick, selecting the University of Central Florida’s Taylor Hendricks.
Then, after plenty of discussions about a potential trade with the 16th pick, the Jazz ultimately stayed put and addressed the backcourt, taking Baylor guard Keyonte George:
Utah had some conversations on trading Nos.