Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green and former NBA player Baron Davis recently discussed the Dubs’ next opponent, the tanking Utah Jazz.
Most of the current talk about the Jazz isn’t about their on-court performance but their hopes of receiving a high NBA Draft pick — something Dray said would be “very important” for the team. However, the four-time All-Star noted it’s not solely about basketball. He believes it’s also significant because the projected number one pick, Cooper Flagg, is white, aligning with Utah’s population.
While comments like “not to be racist” often precede questionable statements, let’s focus solely on the facts.
First, Flagg, who plays for the Duke Blue Devils, is indeed white. Second, Utah’s population is also predominantly white, with nearly 90 percent of its residents being of solely white descent, according to statistics.
On the basketball front, the Salt Lake City team is currently at the bottom of the Western Conference with an 11-37 record. They’ve been rebuilding since trading star players Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in the 2022 offseason.
Since then, the Jazz, led by GM Danny Ainge, have often acted as facilitators in trades, aiming to collect as many draft picks as possible to increase their chances of picking early — if not first — in the 2026 NBA Draft. This approach brings back certain memories for Green.
Besides his skin color, Flagg has several other qualities — and frankly, more important ones — that should make Ainge want to draft him if given the opportunity.
Regarded as one of the biggest talents the basketball world has seen, he has stood out in both college and international youth basketball. Now, in his first college season, Flagg continues to dominate, averaging 20.0 points, eight rebounds, and just over four assists per contest.
Drafting the 18-year-old forward would be a huge move for any NBA team, but especially for the one from Salt Lake City. Dray reaffirmed this, mentioning another reason why the Jazz so desperately needs him.
The four-time All-Star explained that even if the franchise offered substantially more money to attract a player, it’s unlikely anyone would join due to the lack of appeal in playing n.
Green added that there’s “zero chance” of signing a superstar, so Utah’s best option is to first draft a player with the right potential and then develop him. In June 2025, NBA fans will find out if that player is indeed Flagg.