Finally, a draft lottery Jazz fans can feel good about

Also, Ace Bailey, who the Jazz took at No. 5 last year in the draft, looks to have some real star potential. But on the night of the lottery of those years, things seemed bleak.

There were no celebratory hoops and hollers from Jazz executives when they learned their lottery position at any point during this process. Last year, Jazz owner Ryan Smith made a quick and unhappy exit from the ballroom where the lottery results are broadcast in Chicago, clearly disappointed with all of the tanking efforts resulting in just the fifth pick, while the Dallas Mavericks got the No. 1 overall selection, despite the Mavs’ measly odds going into the night.

Jazz fans felt the same way. They felt robbed of what they felt was a deserved top pick. And, in each of the last few years, the lottery results came with the knowledge that there was more pain and more losing and more of the same to come.

They knew that this year would be another tanking season for the Jazz and that there hadn’t been any big acquisitions to bolster the team. They knew that the rebuild was going to continue.

But this year, Jazz fans can watch lottery night knowing that no matter what draft spot the Jazz are given after the lottery drawing, they are no longer handcuffed by the obligation to OKC, and the team is not going to be tanking next season.

They know that this next stage of the rebuild is going to be about getting better rather than racking up losses.

Of course, the Jazz decision makers and fans alike want to get one of the top draft spots, but the Jazz’s future does not depend on it, the way that it seemed like it did in years past.

If everything goes to plan, the Jazz have a starting five of Jackson, George, Bailey, Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler lined up for the 2026-27 season. Their lottery pick, which cannot fall lower than eighth, will either be a depth pick or will have to compete for a starting spot.

So, rather than going into lottery night thinking about the misery that is to come, the continued losses and tanking and collection of assets, Jazz fans can finally enjoy the lottery, knowing that better days are on the horizon.

New with the Jazz

From the archives

Extra points

• The Utah Jazz’s defense has to be addressed for the 2026-27 season (Deseret News)
• Utah Jazz announce dates for Salt Lake City Summer League (Deseret News)
• Mammoth’s playoff run will affect Delta Center renovation (Deseret News)

Around the league

• Jaden McDaniels scores 32 and Timberwolves eliminate Nuggets
• Knicks end Hawks’ playoff run with record-breaking win
• NBA asks for tighter restrictions on prediction markets

Up next

• NBA draft lottery | May 10 | 1 p.m. MDT