THE Utah Jazz may very well be an impediment for the subsequent 2025 NBA draft. Ex-Chicago Bulls p. Ron Harper has publicly said {that a} commerce would happen if Utah chooses to pick his son, Dylan Harper, within the 2025 draft. Harper made his emotions identified by responding to some tweets concerning the matter on “X.”
“Correcting a commerce would happen!!!! -Ron Harper
Appropriate, an trade would happen!!!!
-Ron Harper (@HARPER04_5) December 2, 2024
If this turns into a difficulty on draft day, it could be a tough scenario. On the one hand, the Jazz may pivot and signal one other participant. It is a loaded draft class, and Utah is destined to get a blue-chip prospect anyway.
However that may set a nasty precedent for the small Jazz market. It is no secret that Salt Lake Metropolis will not be a sizzling spot within the free agent market. Giving in to Harper’s calls for wouldn’t bode nicely for Utah if an analogous scenario had been to come up sooner or later. So what leverage does Utah have if this case involves fruition?
If Harper was chosen, the Jazz would personal Harper’s draft rights. This is able to give the Jazz the chance to signal Harper to his first contract. Nonetheless, Harper would have the choice to not signal an settlement.
If a participant does not wish to play for the crew that drafted him, then he’ll play the ready sport. Utah would have Harper’s draft rights for one 12 months. After this 12 months, Harper will be capable of signal with anybody he desires.
The Jazz may reduce their losses earlier than the tip of the 12 months as a result of they’ll commerce away their draft rights if issues begin to transfer within the improper path. It would not be splendid, nevertheless it’s believable.
Some pre-mock draft boards have Harper as excessive because the No. 2 total choose. That is proper within the wheelhouse the place the Jazz ought to be drafting. If the season ended at the moment, Utah would have the third-best lottery odds.
Utah additionally wants an efficient combo guard proper now. Harper is averaging 23.8 factors per sport on 51.1% capturing from the sphere for Rutgers College. He additionally solely averages two turnovers per sport. That is not a nasty quantity, contemplating his age and 33 minutes per sport. There isn’t a denying that Harper has huge potential.
It is exhausting to say who has extra affect if issues go south. It isn’t a super situation for Utah, nevertheless it’s not a super scenario for Harper. It is a lose-lose scenario for each events concerned, which is why it hardly ever comes up on draft day.
Harper is simply 18 and has time on his aspect. However one within the hand is value two within the bush, and all bets are off if Harper chooses to carry on. There’s at all times a danger of harm if he performs overseas. Plus, taking a 12 months off from basketball is rarely good for any prospect, no matter degree.
Jazz followers could keep in mind Ron Harper from the Bulls-Jazz NBA Finals in 1996 and 1997. The Bulls received each collection and Harper was a serious contributor. Generally known as a flexible participant able to enjoying positionless basketball, Harper appeared in 5 NBA championships throughout a 14-year profession.
There are plenty of shifting elements on this one, and we’ll have to attend and see what occurs after the NBA lottery in April. Keep tuned.
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