2018 NBA Mock Draft: What if Memphis wins the lottery?
Keita Bates-Diop. 21. player. 118. . F. Ohio State
The Jazz had an incredibly successful and surprising season, upsetting the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs and throwing a stiff challenge at the Rockets. They will roll into next season with Rudy Gobert, one of the best centers in the NBA, and one year of experience in for star guard Donovan Mitchell. However, the team’s lack of individual shot creation and scoring was exposed by the Rockets. Too much of that responsibility fell to Mitchell and he could certainly use some help.
Bates-Diop would be a nice addition on the wing, giving the Jazz some additional size and depth, as well as some scoring punch. Bates-Diop shot 36 percent from distance this season and was able to attack mismatches against B1G competition. His combination of length and quickness means it would be incredibly difficult to guard him in isolation, even for NBA defenders.
He doesn’t yet create much for others, but Bates-Diop was an awesome shooter last season and can get a bucket in isolation at any point. Utah could really use him next season.