Michigan forward D.J. Wilson said he’d stay in the draft only if he’d go in the first round. Yet, despite not doing any on-court work at the combine, the borderline first-rounder remained in the draft beyond the withdrawal deadline.
What gives?
Rod Beard of The Detroit News:
Somewhat expected. I've heard that he has a first-round guarantee from the Utah Jazz, who have the 30th pick in the first round. https://t.co/xHf1VFmIuT
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) May 24, 2017
Kyle Goon of The Salt Lake Tribune:
Jazz VP of personnel Walt Perrin was asked about the reported first-round guarantee for D.J. Wilson.
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) May 27, 2017
"Did not happen. Did not happen."
Perrin was asked how many times the Jazz have guaranteed to draft a player in his 16 years.
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) May 27, 2017
"Never."
NBA teams sometimes promise to draft a player. They never reveal that before the draft. So, Utah’s denial doesn’t mean much – even if it’s true.
The Jazz were the last team to give Wilson a full work out before he injured himself in a Spurs workout. So, this rumor could be based on circumstantial evidence rather than leak of a Utah guarantee.
Wilson would make sense for the Jazz, who could see their payroll bloat if they re-sign Gordon Hayward and George Hill (and maybe even Joe Ingles). They could move Derrick Favors, an interior who doesn’t exactly fit with Rudy Gobert. Wilson would give Utah another option with Trey Lyles as developing stretch fours behind Boris Diaw. (Utah could even move Diaw and count on Lyles/Wilson to emerge sooner than later.)