Austin Ainge: Jazz ‘Most Likely’ To Make All Four Draft Picks
Jun 4, 2025, 4:50 PM | Updated: 5:04 pm
Fans attend a Jazz Draft Night event at the Delta Center (Credit: Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
(Credit: Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – New President of Basketball Operations Austin Ainge said the Utah Jazz will likely make all four draft picks in this month’s NBA Draft.
Ainge spoke with DJ and PK on 97.5 the KSL Sports Zone and discussed the Jazz’s opportunities for the draft that is now just three weeks away.
Related: Utah Jazz Hire Austin Ainge As President Of Basketball Operations
Ainge: Team “Likely” To Make All Four Draft Picks
The Jazz own four picks in the draft, including the fifth overall pick, the 21st overall pick courtesy of the Minnesota Timberwolves, plus the 43rd and 53rd picks in the second round.
In his conversation, Ainge spoke about the organization’s options over the two-day draft.
“I’m going to listen to everything, I just got into this job so it’s all kind of moving fast,” Ainge said. “But I believe, by far, the most likely scenario is we draft the picks.”
The team fell to the fifth pick in the lottery despite finishing with the worst record in the NBA, but has been mentioned as a potential suitor to trade up to a higher pick.
Done with tanking?
New @utahjazz President of Basketball Ops Austin Ainge said you won’t see the team tanking next season.
But, can the Jazz have their cake, and eat it, too?#takenotehttps://t.co/sUALR24RiG
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 3, 2025
Before the lottery, ESPN insider Shams Charania said the Jazz were equipped with enough trade chips to be aggressive if they were to slip in the draft.
“They have like 13-14 first-round picks they can use in trades,” Charania said on the Pat McAfee show. “I’m not saying they’re going to use all of them to go get number one and Cooper Flagg, but I did some research there for you, they’ve got over a dozen first-round picks.”
Ainge didn’t address moving up in the draft, but left the team’s options open.
“You never know what offers come in,” Ainge said. “[We’ve] got to stay ready.”
Related: Utah Jazz Draft Asset Tracker
The Jazz have made six picks within the top 32 selections of the draft over the last two years, but still haven’t found the type of blue-chip prospect teams look to build around.
From Will Hardy regarding Austin Ainge:
“During my time with the Celtics, I really enjoyed working alongside Austin & was able to gain a great appreciation of his basketball insight & acumen. Having Austin to help guide our group as we continue to grow is huge for our program.”
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 2, 2025
Without a proven superstar on the roster, Ainge mentioned other avenues the Jazz can use to improve the roster.
“You have trades and you have free agency, so you have to use all the tools to build the team because the draft is so uncertain,” Ainge said.
The Jazz have a full 15-man roster heading into the offseason, but veteran John Collins has a one-year player option, while Johnny Juzang, Svi Mykhailiuk, Jaden Springer, and KJ Martin are on non-guaranteed deals.
Related: Utah Jazz 2025 Draft Prospects
How to watch the 2025 NBA Draft
Both rounds of the draft will be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The 30-pick first round tips off at 6 p.m. MT and will be aired on ESPN and ABC. Coverage begins at 5 p.m. MT. Day two will air on ESPN.
Jazz Notes Mailbag: Should Utah Trade Out Of The Fifth Pick?
Streaming: ESPN+, ESPN App, or the NBA streaming Hub
Platforms like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo, and Sling TV offer live access to ESPN and ABC, allowing you to stream the draft.
NBA League Pass: An NBA League Pass subscription gives fans access to watch the draft.
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Ben Anderson is the 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.
