With three of the top 32 selections in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz are well-positioned to bolster their young core with some promising talent. Let’s take a look at how Duke’s Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski, and Baylor’s Ja’Kobe Walter and Yves Missi might fit with the Jazz if they land in Utah later this month.
Jared McCain – Guard, Duke
Stats: 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists; .462/.414/.885
Strengths: Jared McCain is one of the premier shooters in this draft class, showcasing an efficient scoring ability at Duke by knocking down over 40% of his three-point attempts and nearly 90% of his free throws. While known for his shooting, McCain is not a one-dimensional player. He can put the ball on the floor, attack closeouts, and finish effectively near the rim. Additionally, he is a willing defender capable of guarding both backcourt positions, and his rebounding prowess is notable for a guard.
JARED ̶G̶o̶h̶l̶k̶e̶ MCCAIN 😨#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/7XgqJAqhYD
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 24, 2024
Weaknesses: Measuring in at 6’2″ with a 6’3.5″ wingspan, McCain is slightly undersized for a modern NBA two-guard and lacks the athleticism typically expected for his position. He is not a natural lead ball handler, which could limit his role in the backcourt.
Fit With Jazz: The Jazz, like any NBA team, could benefit from adding a sharpshooter like McCain. He would help alleviate the shooting burden on their current backcourt. However, the Jazz already have a smaller backcourt with Keyonte George and Collin Sexton, and McCain’s size might not address this existing issue.
Draft Range: First round, picks 10-20.
Kyle Filipowski – Forward/Center, Duke
Stats: 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists; .505/.348/.671
Strengths: Kyle Filipowski is a versatile offensive center with impressive footwork, hands, and court vision. His ability to space the floor as a passer, short roller, and three-point shooter is valuable. Defensively, he filled the stat sheet with 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game while shooting a respectable 35% from beyond the arc.
Wicked pass from Duke’s Kyle Filipowski. Super skilled, plays tough. Beginning to become a bit underrated in the 2024 NBA Draft class.pic.twitter.com/GMXXq5B0zV
— NBA Draft Dude 🤙 (@CoreyTulaba) May 23, 2024
Weaknesses: Despite averaging 1.5 blocks per game, Filipowski is not a reliable rim protector and struggles defensively near the basket. He lacks the strength to compete against stronger NBA players, which could limit his effectiveness.
Fit With Jazz: Filipowski could provide the Jazz with much-needed passing and floor spacing in the frontcourt, reminiscent of what Kelly Olynyk offered before the February trade deadline. Although his upside is somewhat limited due to average size and strength, he could become a valuable rotation player with the right development.
Draft Range: First round, picks 15-30.
Ja’Kobe Walter – Wing, Baylor
Stats: 14.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists; .376/.341/.792
Strengths: Ja’Kobe Walter entered college as a top ten recruit and showed flashes of brilliance early in his freshman season. He possesses good size for an NBA wing at 6’5.5″ with a 6’10” wingspan and a 38.5-inch vertical. Walter is a capable three-point shooter, hitting 34% on over six attempts per game, and excels at getting to the free-throw line.
Another impressive performance today from Baylor Bears freshman Ja'Kobe Walter #NBADraft
Continues to look like an impressive two-way force with offensive upside and intriguing defensive potential.
Finished with 24 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST & 4 STL on 7/13 shooting (4/8 from 3, 6/6… pic.twitter.com/y11fSO0Mor
— Tyler Rucker (@Tyler_Rucker) November 23, 2023
Weaknesses: Walter’s 37% field goal percentage highlights issues with shot selection and finishing inside. Despite his athleticism, his defense was inconsistent at Baylor, and he struggled to make significant offensive impacts off the dribble.
Fit With Jazz: Walter’s physical tools and potential as a 3-and-D wing make him an intriguing prospect. While he may not contribute immediately, his work ethic and development potential could make him a valuable asset for the Jazz in the long term.
Draft Range: First round, picks 10-20.
Yves Missi – Center, Baylor
Stats: 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.4 assists; .614/.000/.616
Strengths: Yves Missi is a latecomer to organized basketball, having started playing only three years ago. Despite his inexperience, he has rapidly developed into a promising rim-running big man. At seven feet tall with a 38.5-inch vertical, Missi excels as a dunker and shot blocker, projecting as a high-energy, athletic presence near the rim.
Yves Missi's upside is never as intriguing as when he puts the ball on the floor with some space pic.twitter.com/GK2PBigkhO
— Matt Powers (@DraftPow) June 16, 2024
Weaknesses: Missi’s basketball IQ and consistency need improvement. His impact varied greatly throughout his freshman season, and his rebounding numbers were inconsistent. He struggled to score in double-digits regularly and had several games with minimal rebounds.
Fit With Jazz: Missi’s raw athleticism makes him a high-upside pick for teams looking for a rim protector and finisher. However, his weaknesses in rebounding and passing might limit his early contributions to the Jazz, who could view him as a longer-term project.
Draft Range: 15-30
Conclusion
With three top-32 picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz have several opportunities to strengthen their roster. Jared McCain’s shooting, Kyle Filipowski’s versatility, Ja’Kobe Walter’s potential, and Yves Missi’s raw athleticism each bring unique attributes that could help the Jazz in their quest to build a competitive team for the future. The key will be integrating these prospects effectively into their existing young core, ensuring that each player’s strengths are maximized while addressing the team’s overall needs.