Intriguing Utah Jazz Mock Draft Includes BYU Standout
Jan 16, 2025, 2:46 PM | Updated: Jan 17, 2025, 8:47 pm
BYU basketball guard Egor Demin is expected to be available against Arizona State in the Big 12 opener. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
(Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz are deep in draft and development mode, and the 2025 NBA Draft figures to be a big one for the franchise’s plans of contending in the future. Dreams of Cooper Flag, Ace Bailey, and Dylan Harper dance in fans’ minds, but currently, it would take a stroke of ping-pong ball lottery luck for the Jazz to land one of this year’s top prospects.
Along with its own selection, the Jazz own the rights to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers round-one picks. Entering the week, that left Utah with the No. 5, No. 16 (Minnesota), and No. 30 (Cleveland) picks in the first round. With the losses piling up, it’s easy for Jazz fans to start looking at what could be in 2025-26.
With the college basketball season heating up with conference play, several players have moved up and down draft boards, with more change to come. Bleacher Reports Jonathan Wasserman released his two-round 2025 NBA mock draft on Tuesday, January 14.
Updated 2025 NBA Mock Draft https://t.co/q71cspVl6b
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) January 2, 2025
No. 5 Overall – Kasparas Jakucionis
Illinois, PG/SG
Listed at 6’6 and 200 pounds, Jakucionis would bring incredible size as a combo guard. The Lithuanian-born freshman has shown good court vision and basketball IQ in 15 starts with the Illini.
Kasparas Jakucionis had strong moments for Illinois in their win over Arkansas, showing his polished feel for the game and pick-and-roll craft. The 6’6″, 18-year-old Lithuanian guard finished with 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in the 90-76 win. pic.twitter.com/31Sxc5hxCK
— League Him (@League_Him) November 29, 2024
Jakucionis contributes in all phases, scoring 16.7 points a night while shooting 41.6 percent (32-of-77) from deep. He leverages his size to grab 5.4 rebounds and dish out 5.4 assists per game.
The primary draw to Jakicionis is his lead-guard potential, based on the command he’s demonstrated in pick-and-rolls and his ability to balance/generate offense with self-created offense and playmaking. – Wasserman
No. 16 Overall – Egor Demin (Minnesota Timberwolves)
BYU, Point-Wing
A 6’9 ball-handler out of Moscow, Russia, Demin has delighted Cougar fans with his playmaking. Projected as a lottery pick, the Jazz could benefit if Demin falls this far.
Demin set a BYU record with 11 assists in his debut, joining Trae Young as the only Big 12 freshmen to finish with 10+ points and 10+ assists in their debut. Despite struggling with his shot, the freshman wing was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week for November 11-November 18.
Here’s what I mean with Egor Demin he doesn’t create himself much room off the dribble to get a clean shot. I definitely believe in his stuff off the catch though. pic.twitter.com/SmhjoTpKi4
— J ⭐️ ⭐️ (@JKnowsfootyy) December 31, 2024
Demin missed most of December with an injury, returning for conference play to end 2024. He averages 11 points, 4.2 rebounds, and six assists per game. Shooting has been an issue; he makes 42.4 percent of his shots and just 28.8 percent from deep.
NBA teams will likely bank on Demin’s downhill attacking and passing in transition and pick-and-roll sets. They may have to gamble on his shooting become more reliable or deem any shotmaking progress as bonus. – Wasserman
No. 30 Overall – Miles Byrd (Cleveland Cavaliers)
San Diego State, SG/SF
A redshirt sophomore out of Stockton, California, Byrd checks in at 6’7 and 190 pounds.
It doesn’t get much scarier than Miles Byrd.
Words coming Monday to @NoCeilingsNBA! pic.twitter.com/6enfvDWdkn
— Maxwell Baumbach (@BaumBoards) December 22, 2024
After coming off the bench in the first 38 college games, Byrd inserted himself into the Aztecs starting unit in 2024. He averages 14.2 points on 42.7 percent from the floor and 39.5 percent from three.
Miles Byrd should start drawing more attention with an appealing mix of 6’7″ size, shotmaking confidence, ball-screen playmaking flashes and defensive instincts. However, teams may hesitate to slot him confidently with first-rounders until they see him against more noteworthy opponents or prospects at the NBA combine. – Wasserman
Assessment
Jazz CEO and roster czar Danny Ainge can be a bit of a wild card at draft time. His draft history indicates he will likely focus on players with length, athleticism, and positional versatility. Traditionally, positional need has not been a first-round focus for Ainge’s teams.
While all three players have the requisite height and reach for the NBA, it would be curious for a Jazz team desperate for perimeter shooting to take two guys whose shot is a big question mark; I would be shocked if Utah made all three picks in 2025. Already one of the youngest teams in the league, adding a trio of guaranteed rookie deals to a roster filled with developing players could tip the balance too far in that direction.
The @UtahJazz Mailbag: After Isaiah Collier's breakout, what does the future of the team's backcourt look like?#TakeNote https://t.co/eld0BYSBs0
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 15, 2025
With Will Hardy beginning to lean into youth-heavy lineups, Utah should have the minutes available to establish a direction for players like Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, Walker Kessler, Isaiah Collier, and Cody Williams.
The final four months of the 2024-25 season will clarify the rebuild’s next direction. Either way, the summer of 2025 is shaping up to be a critical turning point for the franchise.
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