The 2025 NBA Draft is tonight, and rumors are flying. A star-studded first few picks appears all but set in stone. After that, it’s anyone’s guess. A team that could go in a number of different directions is the Jazz, currently undergoing a lengthy rebuild. At pick #5, this roster could get a desperately-needed infusion of young talent. However, it’s difficult to determine who the front office is eyeing at this spot. What name will Utah target when it’s their turn on the clock?
DraftKings Sportsbook is offering several enticing NBA Draft props ahead of tonight’s festivities. Let’s break down which player the Jazz will target with the fifth overall pick.
Tre Johnson number five pick (+250)
Right now, the four most likely players selected at pick #5, per DraftKings Sportsbook, are:
- Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma (-110)
- Tre Johnson, Texas (+250)
- Ace Bailey, Rutgers (+600)
- Kon Knueppel, Duke (+750)
This is a fascinating spot for a number of reasons. V.J. Edgecombe will likely be taken third overall by the 76ers. After that, things get a little more interesting for the Hornets at #4. Right now, Knueppel is considered the heavy favorite to land in Charlotte.
If I was writing this a month ago, Bailey would be a slam-dunk selection here. Unfortunately, the Rutgers alum has turned off several teams during the pre-draft process. The 18-year-old appears to have a strong desire to join a club where he can star right away. As a result, he’s declined private workout requests from most teams in the lottery. Per ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, the youngster’s preferred list of teams has been narrowed down to the Wizards, Nets and Pelicans. Although those clubs might decide to trade up, there’s a real chance Bailey drops out of the top five.
As previously mentioned, Knueppel looks like a lock to join the Hornets. Assuming that occurs, Utah’s pick will come down to Fears vs. Johnson. The former of the two is currently the favorite at -110, and it’s easy to see why. At Oklahoma, the freshman averaging 16.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists. At just 18 years of age, there’s also plenty of room to grow. Terrific dribbling skills, combined with a knack for thriving under pressure, makes Fears one of the lottery’s true high-upside selections. However, there is some downside here. The guard wasn’t the most efficient player, shooting 43.4% from the field and 28.4% from three-point range. It doesn’t help that the Jazz already possess several ball-handlers that struggle to shoot.
That alone isn’t enough to knock Fears out of contention; it’s easy to see why any coaching staff might fall in love. Still, there may be another name that makes more sense for this roster. Tre Johnson led all freshman in scoring last year, putting up 19.9 points per game. In addition, the youngster was not utilized to his full potential with the Longhorns. Arguably the best shooter in this class, the guard could make a massive difference from three-point range (39.7 3PT%). There are some flaws, including erratic shot IQ and defensive lapses. Still, the Jazz ranked inside the lower third of most offensive categories last season. Adding a potential lead scorer isn’t something that should be ruled out.
Fears vs. Johnson is a fascinating debate; both make sense (for different reasons) on the Jazz. However, it seems odd that one of the two has been given far higher odds at this spot. That’s despite Johnson having better odds at being taken during picks three and four. While there’s a chance Utah’s front office has their eyes set on Fears, it’s nothing close to a guarantee. At better than two-to-one odds, Johnson offers value in this spot.
