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

1. Nick Smith Jr., Bilal Coulibaly, Dariq Whitehead

Nick Smith Jr. is on the controversial end of the lottery spectrum. He missed significant time to injury as a freshman and the on-court results at Arkansas didn’t align with the expectations coming out of high school. Smith was mostly inefficient and he didn’t create much for teammates, which could turn some teams off.

The Jazz should peer through the noise and recognize the innate talent. Smith is 6-foot-5 with long arms and effortless touch. His package of floaters, pull-ups, and touch shots inside the arc is magnificent, and any concerns about his 3-point shooting should be tossed out the window accordingly. Smith might not be primary ball-handling material, but he’s a deadly off-ball scorer who already cuts and moves like an experienced NBA player. The Jazz got a lot out of guards like Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton last season. Smith would be a wise investment.

Bilal Coulibaly is a lottery-level prospect who can jump out of the gym at 6-foot-7. His long arms (7-foot-3 wingspan) further bolster an impressive athletic profile. At 18 years old, Coulibaly is already one of the best defenders on the board. He frequently soars for weak-side blocks or explodes into passing lanes to generate steals. Not many players his age display Coulibaly’s awareness and nose for the ball. He’s also a solid spot-up shooter.

Dariq Whitehead could be the steal of the draft if he falls to No. 29, which feels distinctly possible after he underwent his second foot surgery of the year — thus extinguishing teams’ hopes of seeing Whitehead up close and in-person before the draft. Also one of the youngest players on the board, Whitehead shot over 42 percent from deep at Duke and flashed impressive upside as a shot-creator during his high school days. At full capacity, Whitehead might be one of the most complete offensive players available. The Jazz would have a lot to celebrate with this outcome.