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Utah Jazz: Ranking the last 10 first-round picks

By Corey Rausch

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz talks to Donovan Mitchell #45 against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz talks to Donovan Mitchell #45 against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Utah Jazz (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

7. Trey Lyles (2015)

Part of a loaded University of Kentucky team, Trey Lyles came into the NBA as something of an unknown. The talent was clear but he had not gotten the chance to truly shine next to higher-profile teammates like Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein and Devin Booker.

Lyles profiles as a the modern power forward who can help stretch the floor and has been able to do that on occasion. Three out of his five seasons have seen him shoot greater than 38 percent from long range. He would only spend two seasons in Utah before being moved to Denver, where he would show an uptick in scoring prowess (seasons averaging 9.9 points and 8.5 points respectively).

Related Story. The 3 things I miss most about Utah Jazz basketball. light

Consistency has been the biggest issue for Lyles but he is finally improving on that now in San Antonio. Improving to 54.1 effective field goal percentage is a good start, even as the basic box score numbers are slow to improve. Role matters and he is still struggling to find his niche.

Where he ranks in terms of previous draft picks for the Jazz is complicated by two factors. First, it is a negative that the team took him 12th overall, ahead of fellow Wildcat Devin Booker and (much later) Montrezl Harrell.

The Utah Jazz decided two years later to flip him to Nuggets to move up 11 spots in the draft to select Donovan Mitchell. It is one thing to miss on a pick. Smart teams know when to realize a sunk cost and move into a new era. This was a brilliant call and ultimately takes some of the sting away from taking Lyles over Booker.

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