NBA Draft 2023: 3 teams who could trade up into the top 10

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Mar 27, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) warms up before a game against the Phoenix Suns at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports /

Teams who could trade up in the NBA Draft: 2. Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz could move up even further in this year’s draft by packaging the No. 16 pick with the No. 9 pick. They could also use their No. 28 overall pick with the rest of their picks in order to move up into the top 5 or even the top three, especially if they’re willing to throw in some veterans who could help the Trail Blazers. The other option would be to use these picks in order to get one for this season and a first-round pick for next season.

The Jazz have already traded away their first-round pick for next season. That pick does have protections — it is top-10 protected this season and then top-8 protected the year after. Still, if the Jazz continue their road of rebuilding this is something to watch.

Therefore, I could see the Jazz reprioritizing their assets by trading up in this year’s draft while having a draft pick for next season. Whether Utah trades up further in the top 10 of this year’s draft or trade down, it is a pretty good bet to make that the Jazz will make a move of some sort. The Jazz have plenty of time to be patient after their team proved semi-competitive after tearing it all down last off-season.

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