Best draft picks in Utah Jazz history
The draft is a seminal moment for many incoming players. Putting aside competitive stakes, each young athlete's life is irreversibly altered by the fame and fortune that comes with being an NBA player. The exorbitant contract values ensures these players almost never have to worry about personal finances. Plus, these young guns get to play alongside some of their basketball idols for a living. With these high stakes, it's easy to see why the draft is so revered.
Likewise, the fortunes of a city and franchise can be completely transformed by a draft pick. LeBron James, for instance, brought Cleveland its first sports championship in 52 years and was also to the city's downtown economy. It almost goes without saying that Michael Jordan built the Chicago Bulls from the ground up into a championship team whose dynamic would reverberate through the decades.
With that in mind, 黑料社 compiled a list of the best draft picks in Utah Jazz history using data from . Players were ranked according to a formula that approximates their career achievements, career value, and play quality. The formula encompasses Basketball-Reference.com's , career win shares, and value over replacement player, aka VORP. For players drafted before data is available for VORP, half of the player's win shares were used in its place to calculate their 黑料社 score.
Basketball Hall of Fame inductees were given a minimum of 60% for their Hall of Fame probability, indicating a worthy r茅sum茅 for their time but not up to par with some modern players. Scores were normalized to 100 based on the scoring leader. Keep reading to see where your favorite players fall on the list.
#42. Jarron Collins
- 黑料社 score: 1.1
- 53rd overall pick in 2001
- Played eight seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 3.9 PTS, 2.9 REB, 0.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 15.7 win shares, -3.1 box plus/minus, -2.5 VORP
#41. James Hardy
- 黑料社 score: 1.2
- 11th overall pick in 1978
- Played one season with New Orleans Jazz and three seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 5.7 PTS, 5.3 REB, 1.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 6.3 win shares, -1.2 box plus/minus, 1.0 VORP
#40. Tony Bradley
- 黑料社 score: 1.3
- 28th overall pick in 2017
- Played three seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 4.4 PTS, 4.1 REB, 0.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 7.5 win shares, 0.2 box plus/minus, 1.1 VORP
#39. Carey Scurry
- 黑料社 score: 1.4
- 37th overall pick in 1985
- Played three seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 4.7 PTS, 2.9 REB, 1.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 5.3 win shares, 1.7 box plus/minus, 2.2 VORP
#38. Aaron James
- 黑料社 score: 1.5
- 28th overall pick in 1974
- Played five seasons with New Orleans Jazz
- Career averages: 10.8 PTS, 4.1 REB, 1.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 13.1 win shares, -2.3 box plus/minus, -0.6 VORP
#37. Bob Hansen
- 黑料社 score: 1.6
- 54th overall pick in 1983
- Played seven seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 6.9 PTS, 2.2 REB, 1.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 15.4 win shares, -2.4 box plus/minus, -1.2 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1992 NBA Champ
#36. Walker Kessler
- 黑料社 score: 1.6
- 22nd overall pick in 2022
- Played one season with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 9.2 PTS, 8.4 REB, 0.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 7.1 win shares, 2.9 box plus/minus, 2.1 VORP
#35. Jeremy Evans
- 黑料社 score: 1.7
- 55th overall pick in 2010
- Played five seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 3.5 PTS, 2.6 REB, 0.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 8.2 win shares, 0.9 box plus/minus, 1.9 VORP
#34. Raul Neto
- 黑料社 score: 1.8
- 47th overall pick in 2013
- Played four seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 5.7 PTS, 1.5 REB, 2.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 11.6 win shares, -1.5 box plus/minus, 0.8 VORP
#33. Trey Burke
- 黑料社 score: 2.2
- Ninth overall pick in 2013
- Played three seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 9.6 PTS, 1.8 REB, 3.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 12.9 win shares, -1.3 box plus/minus, 1.7 VORP
#32. Scott Padgett
- 黑料社 score: 2.5
- 28th overall pick in 1999
- Played four seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 4.2 PTS, 2.7 REB, 0.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 13.2 win shares, -0.4 box plus/minus, 2.3 VORP
#31. Grayson Allen
- 黑料社 score: 2.5
- 21st overall pick in 2018
- Played one season with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 9.7 PTS, 2.8 REB, 1.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 13.1 win shares, -0.4 box plus/minus, 2.4 VORP
#30. Jim McElroy
- 黑料社 score: 2.6
- 38th overall pick in 1975
- Played four seasons with New Orleans Jazz
- Career averages: 9.9 PTS, 2.0 REB, 3.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 14.0 win shares, -1.1 box plus/minus, 2.2 VORP
#29. Trey Lyles
- 黑料社 score: 3.0
- 12th overall pick in 2015
- Played two seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 7.8 PTS, 4.3 REB, 1.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 17.0 win shares, -1.0 box plus/minus, 2.3 VORP
#28. Rodney Hood
- 黑料社 score: 3.0
- 23rd overall pick in 2014
- Played four seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 10.4 PTS, 2.6 REB, 1.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 17.4 win shares, -1.2 box plus/minus, 2.2 VORP
#27. Blue Edwards
- 黑料社 score: 3.8
- 21st overall pick in 1989
- Played four seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 10.8 PTS, 3.4 REB, 2.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 24.2 win shares, -1.6 box plus/minus, 1.9 VORP
#26. Darrell Griffith
- 黑料社 score: 4.0
- Second overall pick in 1980
- Played 10 seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 16.2 PTS, 3.3 REB, 2.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 22.0 win shares, -1.4 box plus/minus, 3.4 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1980-81 ROY
#25. Shandon Anderson
- 黑料社 score: 4.1
- 54th overall pick in 1996
- Played three seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 7.4 PTS, 3.1 REB, 1.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 23.6 win shares, -1.3 box plus/minus, 3.0 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2006 NBA Champ
#24. Kris Humphries
- 黑料社 score: 4.3
- 14th overall pick in 2004
- Played two seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 6.7 PTS, 5.4 REB, 0.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 30.3 win shares, -1.7 box plus/minus, 1.2 VORP
#23. Kosta Koufos
- 黑料社 score: 4.3
- 23rd overall pick in 2008
- Played two seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 5.7 PTS, 5.0 REB, 0.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 28.3 win shares, -1.3 box plus/minus, 2.0 VORP
#22. Paul Griffin
- 黑料社 score: 4.5
- 74th overall pick in 1976
- Played three seasons with New Orleans Jazz
- Career averages: 5.1 PTS, 5.5 REB, 2.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 19.6 win shares, 0.3 box plus/minus, 5.9 VORP
#21. Alec Burks
- 黑料社 score: 5.8
- 12th overall pick in 2011
- Played eight seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 10.8 PTS, 3.5 REB, 2.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 28.6 win shares, -0.4 box plus/minus, 6.2 VORP
#20. Greg Ostertag
- 黑料社 score: 6.1
- 28th overall pick in 1995
- Played 10 seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 4.6 PTS, 5.5 REB, 0.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 33.8 win shares, -0.6 box plus/minus, 5.1 VORP
#19. Danny Schayes
- 黑料社 score: 6.2
- 13th overall pick in 1981
- Played two seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 7.7 PTS, 5.0 REB, 1.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 48.8 win shares, -2.0 box plus/minus, -0.1 VORP
#18. C.J. Miles
- 黑料社 score: 6.2
- 34th overall pick in 2005
- Played seven seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 9.6 PTS, 2.4 REB, 1.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 30.1 win shares, -0.4 box plus/minus, 6.9 VORP
#17. Eric Murdock
- 黑料社 score: 7.5
- 21st overall pick in 1991
- Played one season with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 10.1 PTS, 2.5 REB, 4.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 25.6 win shares, 2.0 box plus/minus, 12.1 VORP
#16. Ronnie Brewer
- 黑料社 score: 7.6
- 14th overall pick in 2006
- Played four seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 7.8 PTS, 2.8 REB, 1.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 30.4 win shares, 1.6 box plus/minus, 10.6 VORP
#15. Thurl Bailey
- 黑料社 score: 8.1
- Seventh overall pick in 1983
- Played 10 seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 12.8 PTS, 5.1 REB, 1.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 45.0 win shares, -0.9 box plus/minus, 6.9 VORP
#14. Mo Williams
- 黑料社 score: 8.6
- 47th overall pick in 2003
- Played two seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 13.2 PTS, 2.8 REB, 4.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 40.0 win shares, -0.3 box plus/minus, 10.0 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2016 NBA Champ
--- 1x All Star
#13. Enes Kanter
- 黑料社 score: 9.4
- Third overall pick in 2011
- Played four seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 11.2 PTS, 7.8 REB, 0.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 52.8 win shares, -0.1 box plus/minus, 7.6 VORP
#12. Rich Kelley
- 黑料社 score: 9.8
- Seventh overall pick in 1975
- Played four seasons with New Orleans Jazz and three seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 7.6 PTS, 7.0 REB, 2.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 42.5 win shares, 0.8 box plus/minus, 12.6 VORP
#11. Mark Eaton
- 黑料社 score: 9.8
- 72nd overall pick in 1982
- Played 11 seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 6.0 PTS, 7.9 REB, 1.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 44.8 win shares, -0.1 box plus/minus, 11.8 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2x Def. POY
--- 4x BLK Champ
--- 5x All-Defensive
--- 1x All Star
#10. Bryon Russell
- 黑料社 score: 10.1
- 45th overall pick in 1993
- Played nine seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 7.9 PTS, 3.5 REB, 1.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 47.4 win shares, 0.4 box plus/minus, 11.8 VORP
#9. Dell Curry
- 黑料社 score: 11.2
- 15th overall pick in 1986
- Played one season with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 11.7 PTS, 2.4 REB, 1.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 41.5 win shares, 0.9 box plus/minus, 17.1 VORP
#8. Donovan Mitchell
- 黑料社 score: 12.2
- 13th overall pick in 2017
- Played five seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 24.6 PTS, 4.2 REB, 4.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 37.9 win shares, 3.1 box plus/minus, 18.2 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 6.6%
- Accolades
--- 2022-23 All-NBA
--- 4x All Star
#7. Gordon Hayward
- 黑料社 score: 16.0
- Ninth overall pick in 2010
- Played seven seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 15.5 PTS, 4.5 REB, 3.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 62.0 win shares, 1.8 box plus/minus, 23.1 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 0.3%
- Accolades
--- 1x All Star
#6. Deron Williams
- 黑料社 score: 21.3
- Third overall pick in 2005
- Played six seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 16.3 PTS, 3.1 REB, 8.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 77.3 win shares, 1.9 box plus/minus, 28.3 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 9.5%
- Accolades
--- 2x All-NBA
--- 3x All Star
#5. Paul Millsap
- 黑料社 score: 23.5
- 47th overall pick in 2006
- Played seven seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 13.4 PTS, 7.1 REB, 2.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 95.4 win shares, 1.9 box plus/minus, 29.9 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 5.5%
- Accolades
--- 2015-16 All-Defensive
--- 4x All Star
#4. Andrei Kirilenko
- 黑料社 score: 24.1
- 24th overall pick in 1999
- Played 10 seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 11.8 PTS, 5.5 REB, 2.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 75.4 win shares, 4.9 box plus/minus, 41.7 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2004-05 BLK Champ
--- 3x All-Defensive
--- 1x All Star
#3. Rudy Gobert
- 黑料社 score: 25.8
- 27th overall pick in 2013
- Played nine seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 12.5 PTS, 11.6 REB, 1.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 94.4 win shares, 3.6 box plus/minus, 29.2 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 21.6%
- Accolades
--- 3x Def. POY
--- 2021-22 TRB Champ
--- 4x All-NBA
--- 6x All-Defensive
#2. John Stockton
- 黑料社 score: 80.1
- 16th overall pick in 1984
- Played 19 seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 13.1 PTS, 2.7 REB, 10.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 207.7 win shares, 6.8 box plus/minus, 106.5 VORP
- Accolades
--- 9x AST Champ
--- 11x All-NBA
--- 5x All-Defensive
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
#1. Karl Malone
- 黑料社 score: 80.9
- 13th overall pick in 1985
- Played 18 seasons with Utah Jazz
- Career averages: 25.0 PTS, 10.1 REB, 3.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 234.6 win shares, 5.1 box plus/minus, 99.0 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2x MVP
--- 14x All-NBA
--- 4x All-Defensive
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
