Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith recently appeared on The Pat McAfee Show to discuss a variety of topics, and the conversation inevitably drifted towards the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft and the potential of landing phenom Cooper Flagg.
While Smith acknowledged the excitement surrounding Flagg, he tempered expectations regarding the Jazz’s chances.
Ryan Smith on the Utah Jazz in the 2025 Draft
“The Jazz have never really moved up or had the number one pick. Why not now? why not us? It’s a good thing. We have a good squad. We have 9 guys under the age of 23. We have the most first rounds picks coming out.”
“It’s a pretty good NBA Draft coming up..
The Jazz have never really moved up in the draft or had the number one pick..
Why not now and why not us..
We’ve got a young squad and we’ve got a lot of picks” ~ @RyanQualtrics #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/KGPfrNQbEj
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 8, 2025
Currently, the Jazz hold a 14% chance at landing the number one pick and a 52.1% chance to land within the top four after finishing with a dreadful 17-65 record. Utah currently has the same chances as the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets of landing the first pick. While teams with lower odds have won the draft lottery in the past, the Jazz have positioned themselves for a potential top-five pick in a fairly deep draft class.
Even if they miss out on Flagg, there are still a number of options that they can choose to help improve the franchise.
Smith recognized the youth movement happening in Utah and the goal of building a sustainable winning culture through smart drafting and player development, regardless of where they pick. He refrained from directly commenting on the specifics of Flagg’s game or their interest level, adhering to the league’s regulations regarding pre-draft evaluations.
Cooper Flagg has undoubtedly captured the attention of NBA scouts and fans alike during his freshman season at Duke University. The 6’9″ forward has showcased a remarkable all-around game, filling up the stat sheet on a nightly basis.
Flagg’s standout freshmen season at Duke saw him average 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks all while shooting a solid 48.1% from the field and a respectable 38.5% from deep.
These impressive numbers highlight Flagg’s versatility and impact on both ends of the court. His combination of scoring prowess, rebounding tenacity, playmaking ability, and defensive instincts has led many to project him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
While Ryan Smith and the Utah Jazz acknowledge Flagg’s exceptional talent, their focus remains grounded in the realities of the draft lottery. They understand that while the dream of landing a player of Flagg’s caliber is enticing, their organizational strategy hinges on a comprehensive evaluation process and a commitment to building a successful future, irrespective of lottery luck.
The Jazz, like many other teams, will be eagerly watching how the draft lottery unfolds and preparing to make the most of their selection.