I Used Tankathon To Simulate The Lottery 5 Times – Here’s Who We Got

We’re less than 24 hours away from the most important draft lottery in Utah Jazz history. That’s not hyperbolic; the Jazz have never tanked like they have this season, the lack of talent on the roster has never been more glaring. With that said, there’s only a 14% chance of getting Cooper Flagg; it’s much more likely we’ll be picking someone else. So, who is that person? I simulated the draft lottery on Tankathon 5 times and made 5 different picks.

Sim #1 – Utah Jazz pick 1st

I just audibly gasped when I saw Utah in the 1st pick position after sim #1. I pray for my downstairs neighbors if this happens tomorrow. This is no questions asked Cooper Flagg, the best American prospect since Anthony Davis. Cooper checks all the boxes you want in a star player, elite athleticism, great playmaking, and lockdown defense. Like more offensively polished Kevin Garnett had a baby with Andrei Kirilenko.

Pick #1 – Cooper Flagg

Sim #2 – Utah Jazz pick 1st again

I’m doing this as honestly as possible, maybe it’s a sign? Once again, The Jazz would take less than 2 seconds to decide they’re picking Cooper Flagg here. My favorite part about Flagg’s game is that his strengths are almost every prospects weakness. His motor, defense, and playmaking are legitimately his best skills.

Pick #1 – Cooper Flagg

Sim #3 – Utah Jazz pick 2nd

Just as much as Cooper Flagg is the obvious #1 pick, Dylan Harper is the obvious pick at #2. The 6’6” combo guard out of Rutgers has unlimited offensive potential, his handle, shot, and layup package are next level for a college player. He has shades of tall Jalen Brunson and a little bit of SGA in him, the type of offensive hub you almost only get in the first few picks of a draft.

Pick #2 – Dylan Harper

Sim #4 – Utah Jazz pick 4th

This simulation would result in a pretty major crash out from me. In my personal big board, there’s a gap between my 3rd and 4th player. My 4th player is VJ Edgecombe, the athletic freak out of Baylor. VJ is going to be a solid player, he has tremendous upside defensively, and will be a nightmare in transition on day 1. Both his shot making and playmaking leaves some meat on the bone, he’ll have to improve at both to be a #1 or even #2 option. As mentioned earlier, the Jazz desperately need talent and VJ is certainly talented.

Pick #4 – VJ Edgecombe

Sim #5 – Utah Jazz pick 5th

The draft lottery playing out like this would be shattering nearest glass levels of pain. Not only are the Jazz picking the worst possible spot they can land, the undeserving 76ers get pick #1. Multiple players are at play with pick #5. The Jazz could select Texas shooting savant Tre Johnson, they could select either of Duke’s other prospects, Khaman Maluach or Kon Knueppel, or they could take the offensive juggernaut out of Maryland, Derik Queen.

I personally would select Tre Johnson at this spot, the 6’6” shooting guard is the best shooter in the draft. The most important thing in today’s game is putting the ball in the hoop, Tre is elite when it comes to that. There are limitations on the defensive end and his shot selection isn’t perfect. But all of that seems small when you watch him shoot the ball. It’s just hard to know if you’re getting Klay Thompson or Jalen Green.

Pick #5 – Tre Johnson

Conclusion

A lot can happen tomorrow, The Jazz will be picking a solid prospect no matter where the ping pong balls fall. The Jazz player development staff will be playing a crucial role in the future of the Jazz this summer. I can’t wait to see who joins the Jazz this summer, and I especially can’t wait to watch them this summer league.