SALT LAKE CITY – With the 2024 NBA Draft approaching, one intriguing prospect for the Utah Jazz is Tyler Smith, a former member of the now-defunct G-League Ignite squad. Smith, a 19-year-old with a modern NBA skill set, presents significant potential despite being a work-in-progress. His experience playing against professional competition makes him a notable target for the Jazz, especially with their 29th and 32nd picks. The Jazz, looking to build a formidable future squad, could greatly benefit from Smith’s versatility and long-term upside.
Standing 6’11” and weighing 224 lbs, Smith averaged 14.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, with shooting splits of 48/35/74 (59.5% true shooting percentage) over 16 games with the Ignite squad. As a key player off the bench, he provided crucial offensive boosts, leading to projections of him being picked in the late first round. Given this, Smith should be considered for the Jazz’s second and third selections in the upcoming draft.
Strengths
Despite the raw aspects of his game, Smith’s potential as an offensive talent is undeniable. During his time with the G-League Ignite, he was primarily used as a screener in pick-and-roll situations, logging 21.3% of his possessions in this role, according to Synergy. Impressively, Smith shot 37.7% from three when popping out in the pick-and-roll, making him a high-upside pick in this draft.
Smith’s ability to set drag screens in early offense situations helps initiate scoring opportunities while the defense is still setting up. His knack for finding open spots during defensive scrambles, particularly in high or angle pick-and-rolls, is notable. Last season, Smith shot 40% on transition threes, highlighting his effectiveness in these scenarios.
Smith has also developed into a moving threat using ghost screens, which create separation for open shots. While not as proficient as sharpshooters like Klay Thompson or Buddy Hield, Smith’s size makes it challenging for slower bigs to guard him, allowing him to exploit mismatches.
Defensively, teams often blitz or use a drop coverage against Smith in pick-and-rolls, but his ability to find space and shoot quickly makes him a valuable offensive asset. His performance indicates that he only needs a small opening to get his shot off, which is a crucial skill at the NBA level.
Weaknesses
Despite his advanced shooting skills, Smith struggles with finishing around the rim. Excluding tips and dunks, he shoots only 49.1% at the basket, a low figure for someone his size. While he can seal defenders effectively, his lack of finesse and touch around the paint is problematic. According to Synergy, Smith scores only 0.88 points per possession on post-ups, an area that needs significant improvement.
Defensively, Smith can be overpowered by bulkier players in the post, allowing 1.52 points per possession on post-ups and 1.23 points per possession against the roll man in pick-and-roll situations. These defensive shortcomings need to be addressed, especially given the NBA’s screen-heavy offenses.
Room for Growth
Smith’s proficiency in hitting outside shots is already impressive, and he has also shown potential in running off screens to create scoring opportunities. Although the sample size is small (15 possessions), he made 44.4% of his threes when running off screens. If the Jazz select him with their 29th or 32nd pick, his ability to move off pindowns, pin-ins, and flares could align well with head coach Will Hardy’s offensive philosophy.
Conclusion
Given the current construction of the Jazz roster, they are likely to prioritize two-way wings or guards who can play vital roles moving forward. However, potential trades or moves, especially in their frontcourt, could make Smith an attractive option. His proficiency in setting screens, creating scoring opportunities, and hitting outside shots aligns well with the Jazz’s offensive style, making him a strong candidate for their 29th and 32nd picks.