Utah Jazz: 3 perfect combinations for their 3 1st-round picks

2. Cason Wallace, Jett Howard, Rayan Rupert

Cason Wallace feels like one of the surest bets in the lottery. The 6-foot-3 guard from Kentucky is an absolute world-beater on the defensive end, boasting a 6-foot-8 wingspan and tremendous instincts. He’s not an elite athlete, but Wallace has the lateral quickness to stifle ball-handlers at the point of attack and he’s always locked in off the ball.

On the offensive end, Wallace can space the floor and supply steady, turnover-averse playmaking from either guard spot. He’s not really a primary shot creator due to his lack of burst, but Wallace has a few tricks up his sleeve finishing around the paint and he’s a competent pull-up shooter working out of the pick-and-roll.

Jett Howard would give the Jazz a mid-round boost on the wing. He’s one of the more advanced offensive players on the board, standing 6-foot-8 with an elite 3-point stroke and flashes of self-creation. His strong baseline as a floor spacer who’s comfortable in NBA-style actions like DHOs or pin downs would make him an easy plug-and-play option for Hardy on offense. The defensive concerns are grave, but Howard competes hard and the Jazz have elite backline defense in Kessler.

Rayan Rupert would be a strong get at No. 29 if he tumbles (or, conversely, at No. 16 if Howard tumbles). The French guard by way of Australia’s NBL is one of the youngest players on the board. Rupert has a long way to go offensively, but he’s a projectable 3-point shooter who fluidly handles the ball — especially in transition. At 6-foot-7, Rupert’s size and skill correlation are tantalizing. He’s also a dogged perimeter defender who could complement Wallace quite well in the backcourt long term.