NBA Draft rumors: Pelicans, Jazz, Pacers looking to trade up for Scoot, Whitmore
By Scott Rogust
NBA Draft rumors: Jazz eying trade up for Cam Whitmore
The Utah Jazz blew up the team last offseason with Danny Ainge taking over as CEO of basketball operations by trading away Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Even without their stars, the Jazz finished 12th in the Western Conference, just three wins out from the final play-in tournament spot.
This year, the Jazz have plenty of draft picks to work with, as they hold the No. 9, 16, and 28 picks in the first round.
Sarah Todd of the Deseret News notes regarding a potential trade-up that the Jazz have shown interest in multiple projected high draft picks, including Villanova forward Cam Whitmore. Interestingly enough, Whitmore revealed back on June 1 that he had a workout scheduled with the Jazz.
Whitmore would be a player that Utah would have to move up to ensure that he is available. Waiting around at No. 9 could be a risk.
In his lone season playing at Villanova, Whitmore averaged 12.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals while posting a 47.8 field goal percentage and a 34.3 three-point percentage in 26 games (20 starts). Whitmore won the Big East Freshman of the Year.
Todd notes that the Jazz are also interested in Alabama’s Brandon Miller, who is going to be selected within the first three picks.