Jazz Mailbag: With Third Pick, Who Would Jazz Take?

SALT LAKE CITY – Welcome to the Utah Jazz mailbag, where this week we look at what options the Jazz would have if they wound up selecting third in the draft.

Each week we will send out a prompt on X and BlueSky asking for the questions you have about the Jazz.

Then, we’ll respond to as many as we can in that week’s Jazz mailbag.

Jazz Mailbag: What Happens If They Own The Third Pick?

Let’s say Jazz end up with #3 pick – who do they end up picking?

— Shane (@JazzerNation) April 21, 2025

Question: Let’s say Jazz end up with the third pick – who do they end up picking?

Answer: A common refrain fans will have to prepare for over the next two months is “the NBA draft starts at the third pick.”

Cooper Flagg is a surefire bet to be drafted first. Barring a terrible pre-draft process, Dylan Harper Jr. will be selected second.

For now, the first bit of mystery on draft night will be who is selected third.

Jazz Mailbag: What Happens If Jazz Fall To Fifth In Draft?

The most common names in the running for the third pick are Ace Bailey, the high-scoring forward out of Rutgers, and VJ Edgecombe, the uber-athletic, multi-tool wing from Baylor.

Bailey’s game has more warts, namely, questions about his shot selection, playmaking, and defensive IQ. However, his potential as a number one scoring option, shot creator, and overall offensive engine may be better than any one current skill for anyone else who would be considered with the third pick.

Ace Bailey a 7 foot demigod 🤮 pic.twitter.com/kyzc2ZOeAT

— Fastbreak Hoops (@FastbreakHoops5) April 13, 2025

Edgcombe’s game is more well-rounded, as a two-way stat stuffer who will fit many roles at the next level. But, there are questions about his offensive upside, especially as a shot creator, which may lower his star-level upside.

While there would certainly be disappointment inside Delta Center if the Jazz were to miss out on either Flagg or Harper, the good news is that the team would still benefit from the strengths of both Bailey and Edgecombe.

Jazz Maibag: Will Tanking Continue Into Next Year?

Along with the Portland Trail Blazers, the Jazz were one of two teams in the NBA this season that didn’t have a player average 20 points per game.

Though Lauri Markkanen has averaged 23.0 points per game over three seasons with the Jazz, much of his offense is dependent on other players creating shots for him.

Ace Bailey is not human pic.twitter.com/f3MbLurR7c

— TJ (@TJHitchings) February 1, 2025

This season, 57 percent of Markkanen’s field goal attempts came from beyond the three-point line, and all 138 makes came off assists from his teammates.

Similarly, 96 percent of John Collins’s threes were assisted by teammates, as were 93 percent of Kyle Filipowski’s makes.

While the Jazz have talented shotmakers in the frontcourt, they’re missing a big body who can create his own offense on the perimeter, an area where Bailey would offer a quick upgrade.

Conversely, Edgecombe would boost the Jazz’s defense, where they’ve been the worst-rated team in the league each of the last two seasons.

VJ Edgecombe with a block from behind! Really impressed with his anticipation and ability to get up high for the block.

Absolutely an unreal athlete 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/hvnQt29wRU

— Mike O (@coolguy551_) February 15, 2025

While Walker Kessler appears to be the team’s most important defensive piece going forward, the Jazz desperately lack quality defenders everywhere else on the roster, especially playmakers.

Edgecombe averaged a superb 2.1 steals per game in his freshman season at Baylor and has the physical tools to defend multiple positions in the NBA.

With the return of Taylor Hendricks, projected improvement from Cody Williams, and the addition of VJ Edgecombe, the Jazz could have the length necessary to begin building a defensive system that has been absent over the last several seasons.

Sign up for the new Jazz Notes newsletter! Receive game updates, exclusive analysis and chances to win Jazz tickets.

Until the lottery balls are sorted out on May 12, speculating about who the Jazz may prefer at three might be a fool’s errand. But, while the team would lament missing out on safer bets in Flagg and Harper, they would benefit from either Bailey or Edgecombe.

Want to ask questions in next week’s Jazz mailbag? Give us a follow at @kslsports.

Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports.

Ben Anderson is the author of the Jazz Mailbag, a Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports, and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky. 

Follow @benshoops