Jazz Legend Thurl Bailey Points to Sleeper Offseason Need

The Utah Jazz have positioned themselves to improve their roster via trade, free agency, and the draft this offseason. With multiple needs to fill, there’s been a debate this summer in regard to which position is priority No. 1, with the draft just one month away. 

Some say point guard, while others want a combo forward to pair with Lauri Markkanen. Ex-Jazzman and current broadcast analyst Thurl Bailey shared his thoughts on the matter on ESPN 700's The Drive with Spence Checketts.

“The point guard, as you well know, Spence, is so important,” Bailey told Checketts.”If you look at what a lot of teams are looking at right now is that 6-foot-7 to 6-foot-9, two-sided player who can guard two through four—maybe in a small ball situation two through five—switch off on the ones and give them trouble. So there’s a lot of talent out there, and when you have a pretty nice nucleus with Lauri Markkanen, [Walker] Kessler, [Ochai] Abaji—you can build a pretty nice team around that.”

Point guards that fit that criteria are few and far between, but the prospects that come to mind that could be available in the No. 9 range are Arkansas' Anthony Black and Kentucky’s Cason Wallace.

However, Black’s measurements took a slight hit after measuring at 6-foot-5-¾ with a 6-foot-7.5-inch wingspan at the NBA Combine. Wallace also came in a little lower than expected at 6-foot-2-½, paired with a 6-foot-8 wingspan. The pair are still considered elite defenders at their position, but meeting Bailey’s criteria in terms of size may not be in the cards in 2023.

That said, Bailey is spot on in regard to the importance of Utah addressing the point guard spot. Utah’s front office will get some clarity on what path to take when Talen Horton-Tucker decides to opt-in or out of his current contract. 

If Horton-Tucker does opt-in, it begs the question: Will Utah endure a year of growing pains with 'THT' starting at the one, or has that ship sailed? Also, does a decision to opt-in affect Utah’s draft board at No. 9?

Utah’s ability to adapt as this information becomes available will be vital moving forward. Jazz GM Justin Zanik addressed this at the Combine. 

“The draft, free agency, trades, they’re all connected,” Zanik said. “There’s a plan going into it, but there’s also the ability to adapt depending on what becomes available.”

We can expect answers soon, with the draft slated for June 22 and Horton-Tucker’s decision due by June 29.

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