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Ryan Kostecka

Gabriele Procida is a name Jazz Nation might want to get acquainted with.&nbsp;

Announced on May 10, Procida was named the 2023-24 EuroLeague Rising Star. The award — voted on by the league coaches — is given annually to the top rising star of the EuroLeague, considered the best professional basketball league in Europe. Only players younger than 22, on July 1 of the summer before the season started, are eligible for the award.

The Jazz own Procida’s draft rights, acquired from Detroit in the Simone Fontecchio trade this past February. Procida was originally drafted by Portland with the 36th overall pick in 2022 before being traded draft night to the Pistons.&nbsp;

Procida just finished his second season with ALBA Berlin, averaging 8.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 18 minutes per game. He played in 25 games with three starts.&nbsp;

He became the first player from ALBA Berlin to win the award and the third Italian to do so: Andrea Bargnani (2005-06) and Danilo Gallinari (2007-08). Since the award was created in 2005, there is a good track record of previous winners playing in the NBA. Of the 15 winners, 10 have gone on to play in the NBA, including Luka Doncic and former Jazzman Ricky Rubio.

Procida is currently a member of the Italian National Team, having faced Team USA at the recent 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Blessed with unique size and length at 6-foot-8, Procida flashes impressive athleticism and defensive intensity. While his shooting will ultimately determine his role in the NBA, Procida already has an advanced feel for the game despite being 21 years old.&nbsp;

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Gabriele Procida named 2023-24 EuroLeague Rising Star

After a month of speculation, the Utah Jazz learned their draft fate on Sunday afternoon.&nbsp;

Utah entered the day with a 26.2% chance of selecting in the top four of the draft and a 34.5% chance of staying put at No. 8. In the end, Utah will have the No. 10 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

The Jazz now own the No. 10 pick, the No. 29 pick (from Oklahoma City), and the No. 32 pick (from Washington).

Utah made excellent use of its three first-round picks last season, taking Taylor Hendricks (No. 9), Keyonte George (No. 16), and Brice Sensabaugh (No. 28). George emerged as Utah's starting guard for much of the season—and should be an All-Rookie selection—while Hendricks and Sensabaugh both flashed potential, especially late in the season.

The Jazz can now add another lottery talent to that young core.

"It's a unique draft," CEO of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge said during his season-ending press conference. "I think that it's harder to find franchise-altering players in this draft. There are a few, to a handful of players that I really like. … I have no idea if they'll be there."

The Jazz have never had the top pick in the draft, but did choose Darrell Griffith at No. 2 in 1980. They've selected eight times in the top 10, choosing Deron Williams (2005) and Enes Freedom (2011) with the No. 3 pick.&nbsp;

In their 50-year history, the Jazz have never had the No. 10 overall selection.&nbsp;

Despite missing the postseason the past two years after embarking on a massive rebuild, there is a different level of excitement entering this offseason compared to last. The year may not have ended as the team hoped, but head coach Will Hardy believes there were plenty of positives to take into the summer.&nbsp;

"I thought the guys played really hard," Hardy said upon reflection. "I also felt that despite how the end of the season went, despite some of the noise around that, nobody made excuses, nobody complained, nobody blamed anybody else. … That's from the top down. We are all in it together. … What happens at the Delta Center is a reflection of all of us. We win together and we lose together, that's just how this has to be. I feel like I had the utmost confidence in our entire organization because even though we had some tough times at the end of the year, I didn't see any behavior internally that was alarming. We all have to do the work, we all have a part to play."

After a breakout 2022-23 NBA season that saw Lauri Markkanen take home the NBA's Most Improved Player of the Year award and become a first-time All-Star, many wondered what sort of encore he would provide the following season. It turns out that breakout year was nothing flukey. Although his numbers weren't precisely the same as last season's, he averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while at the top of the scouting report, which is just as impressive.

Alongside the three rookies, center Walker Kessler is a key piece of Utah's young core. At just 22 years old, coming off an All-Rookie campaign and being selected for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup, Kessler overcame some inconsistencies to finish the year averaging 8.1 points and 7.5 rebounds on 65.4% shooting. He also finished with 2.4 blocks per game, second in the NBA. 

Although this season may not have ended the way the Jazz hoped, one thing they can hold their head high about is that Utah finished the year with a winning record at home. With the win against Houston on April 11, the Jazz secured their 44th season with a winning record at home — tied for the best in the NBA since Utah joined the league in 1974-75. Since the franchise moved to Utah in 1979, the Jazz have recorded 40 seasons with a winning record at home — the most in the NBA.

"It reaffirms to me the authenticity of our fanbase," Hardy said when asked about Jazz Nation. "Pro sports, the NBA, is full of fair-weather fans. It's full of arenas that you go to, and if the team isn't great, the building can be not very full. … There are plenty of instances throughout the season where we go out on the road, and it just doesn't feel the same. I think that our fans prove that every single night, they're truly Jazz fans through and through."

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Jazz Will Have the No. 10 Pick in 2024 NBA Draft

One of the most important offseason dates is quickly approaching as Utah will find out where its first-round draft picks land during the NBA Lottery on Sunday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m. MT on ABC.

For those who don't understand the complicated process of the draft lottery — which I'm guessing is somewhere around 96.3% of basketball fans — here's a breakdown of the process and what Jazz Nation can expect.&nbsp;

WHAT IS THE DRAFT LOTTERY?The draft lottery is the process that is used to determine the first four picks in the NBA draft, and applies to the seven teams with the worst record from each conference to be seeded 1-14 (1 being the worst record, 14 being the best). 

The team with the lowest win percentage in the regular season will receive no worse than the No. 5 pick in the draft. The teams with the three worst records will all have the same chance of winning the lottery and picking No. 1 overall. After the first four teams' drawings are complete, picks 5-14 will go in the inverse order of the teams’ regular season record.&nbsp;

HOW DOES IT WORK?Yes, they use actual ping pong balls.

Teams 1-14 will be assigned certain four-number combinations to determine their pick, all of which will be done in a private room off-camera and be overseen by a representative from the accounting firm Ernst & Young.

Fourteen ping-pong balls (numbered 1-14) will be placed in a lottery machine and mixed for 20 seconds before a ball is pulled out. The remaining 13 balls will be spun for 10 seconds before removing another ball. The same will be done with 12 balls (10-second spin) and 11 balls (10-second spin) to determine the combination. Whichever team has that combination will receive the No. 1 overall pick.&nbsp;

The exact process will be repeated three more times to determine picks 2-4. If a previously chosen team is chosen again, that combination is discarded, and the process will repeat itself.&nbsp;

There are 1,001 possible combinations, with 1,000 of those combinations assigned to the participating teams. If the one combination not assigned to a team is chosen, it is discarded, and the process repeats itself. 

WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF GETTING THE #1 PICK?Restructured before the 2019 draft to discourage tanking, the three teams with the lowest winning percentage will all have the same odds of receiving the No. 1 overall pick. Teams 4-14 will then have that percentage drop in order of record.

ORDER | TEAM | RECORD | No. 1 PICK % | POSSIBLE COMBINATIONS

1.) Detroit Pistons | 17-65 | 14.0% | 140 combinations2.) Washington Wizards | 22-60 | 14.0% | 140 combinations3.) Charlotte Hornets | 22-60 | 13.3% | 133 combinations4.) Portland Trailblazers | 27-55 | 13.2% | 132 combinations5.) San Antonio Spurs | 33-49 | 10.5% | 105 combinations6.) Toronto Raptors | 34-48 | 9.0% | 90 combinations7.) Memphis Grizzlies | 35-47 | 7.5% | 75 combinations8.) Utah Jazz | 35-47 | 6.0% | 60 combinations9.) Brooklyn Nets | 37-45 | 4.5% | 45 combinations10.) Atlanta Hawks | 38-44 | 3.0% | 30 combinations11.) Chicago Bulls | 40-42 | 2.0% | 20 combinations12.) Houston Rockets | 40-42 | 1.5% | 15 combinations13.) Sacramento Kings | 41-41 | 0.8% | 8 combinations14.) Golden State Warriors | 42-40 | 0.7% | 7 combinations

WHAT DOES HISTORY TELL US?Since 2000, nine teams with single-digit percentage odds won the lottery and got the No. 1 overall pick — a good sign for the Jazz. 

2019 | New Orleans Pelicans | 6.0%2014 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 1.7%2011 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 2.8%2008 | Chicago Bulls | 1.7%2007 | Portland Trailblazers | 5.3%2006 | Toronto Raptors | 8.8%2005 | Milwaukee Bucks | 6.3%2002 | Houston Rockets | 8.9%2000 | New Jersey Nets | 4.4%

On the other hand, the most recent years don't paint  the most promising picture. Eight of the past nine drafts have resulted in a team with the best odds getting the No. 1 overall pick — with the only exception being the Pelicans in 2019 (6% chance | Zion Williamson). 

FINALLY, WHAT ABOUT THE JAZZ?First and foremost, Jazz Nation should hope that Thurl Bailey — Utah's representative at the draft lottery — can continue to bring good fortune to the organization and that 6.7% chance turns into the No. 1 overall pick. 

While that number seems unlikely, Utah has a 19% chance of being chosen in the lottery and giving themselves a top-3 pick.

The Jazz have never had the top pick in the draft, but did choose Darrell Griffith at No. 2 in 1980. They’ve chosen nine times in the top-10, choosing Deron Williams (2005) and Enes Freedom (2011) with the No. 3 pick.&nbsp;

Utah made excellent use of its three first round picks last season, taking Taylor Hendricks (No. 9), Keyonte George (No. 16), and Brice Sensabaugh (No. 28). George emerged as Utah’s starting guard for much of the season — and should be an All-Rookie selection — while Hendricks and Sensabaugh both flashed potential, especially late in the season.

HOW DO I WATCH?When: Sunday, May 12Where: Chicago, IllinoisTime: 1 p.m. MTTV: ABC

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Everything to Know About the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery and Utah's Odds

Before Will Hardy became head coach of the Utah Jazz in July 2022, he was coming off an appearance in the NBA Finals as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics. Although Boston would fall 4-2 to Steph Curry and the Warriors, that experience gave Hardy a taste of what the NBA mountain top was like.&nbsp;

A week after he took over as head coach, the Jazz traded All-NBA center Rudy Gobert to Minnesota in a franchise-altering deal. Utah was at it again two months later, trading All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland for a massive haul back that included Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton.&nbsp;

It was clear from those two moves — and a slew of others — that Utah was embarking on a new era, one with Hardy as the leading man.&nbsp;

Two years later, the rebuilding process is in full swing, even ahead of schedule, according to some analysts. However, despite finding an All-Star in Markkanen, being armed with a bevy of first-round picks, and appearing to nail the 2023 draft class with their trio of rookies, the Jazz have missed the postseason for the second consecutive season. While it's not a complete shock, missing out on the playoffs in back-to-back years has only fueled Hardy's desire.

"I have a deep longing for the playoffs and for being a winning team. … And when you have two years in a row where that's not what you are, it burns the fire a little bit hotter," Hardy said.

With the offseason underway, Hardy has had time to decompress and think about everything that had transpired over the previous eight months. From a slow start to a scorching run in December and January to the trade deadline and injuries derailing the promising season, it was a year full of highs, lows, and plenty of emotions in between.&nbsp;

"I thought the guys played really hard," Hardy said upon reflection. "I also felt that despite how the end of the season went, despite some of the noise around that, nobody made excuses, nobody complained, nobody blamed anybody else. … That's from the top down. We are all in it together. … What happens at the Delta Center is a reflection of all of us. We win together and we lose together, that's just how this has to be. I feel like I had the utmost confidence in our entire organization because even though we had some tough times at the end of the year, I didn't see any behavior internally that was alarming. We all have to do the work, we all have a part to play.

While reflection is good, it never once clouded Hardy's judgment on what the future could bring — specifically, the offseason.&nbsp;

"We got a lot of work to do in every way," he said. "There's always a sense of the adrenaline wearing off when the season ends and you have 48 hours or so to start to decompress and then questions become what's the first thing to address? There's obviously a lot of things we got to work on as a team, but getting the players geared up for their postseason programs is the first thing on my agenda. … Send those guys off with a clear vision of where I see them, where we see them, and give them an opportunity to have conversations with me about the things they see and feel. All so we can set ourselves up for the best summer possible."

Each player and coach will have their own designated list of things they need to work on, but Hardy's work goes beyond what takes place on the court. He's always prided himself on being labeled a "player's" coach who can connect with his guys in ways most coaches can't.&nbsp;

"I obviously try to spend time with them off the floor. … It's a big deal for me in the offseason," he said. "I think building a foundation of a personal relationship is really important for coaches and players because we get in these moments in the season where it's emotional for all of us. … There's fatigue, and sometimes there are conversations that are uncomfortable. There's moments that can be heated, and if you have a foundation of a personal relationship underneath all of that, then there's never a misunderstanding of whether this is personal or not."

"It allows you to coach them in a way where they know and believe that I care about them as human beings, and the part that I'm coaching them hard on is just about basketball. … The offseason is a really good time to do those things."

While Hardy knows what he wants to accomplish off the court, he's also aware of what he wants to achieve on it this summer.

"I've got a long list," Hardy said when asked what he's deep diving this offseason. "We've got to figure out a lot of things defensively, got to figure out how to use some of our smaller guards on the defensive side of the floor. Obviously late in the season we shelved the zone for a bunch of reasons, but I'm still a big believer in our zone. What's the right balance of man and zone? The offensive side of the ball, I'm always debating with myself the balance of pick-and-roll and off-ball. … I think we've walked that line pretty well. But as personnel has changed, I need to be honest with myself about who we have on the roster and try to put them in a situation to be successful."

One of the biggest challenges Hardy could face this summer is the uncertainty surrounding the roster. After CEO of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge said the team will go "big game hunting" this summer and that entering training camp with "six kids under 20" isn't ideal, anything is possible for the Jazz. But just because the possibilities are endless, it won't alter the way Hardy goes about his business. 

"I don't think about it like that. … I just coach who's in the locker room," Hardy said. "I'll go about it thinking about Lauri, and Keyonte, and Walker, and Taylor, Jordan, John. … I'm going about it like those are the guys on the team because they are. If things change, so will I. I think if we always worry about what might happen, especially in this business, we may never do anything because there's always the 'what ifs' you see in the offseason and the season. … That's where being flexible is a strength for our program."

Regardless of who is on the roster by the time October rolls around and the 2024-25 season tips off, Hardy knows what sort of team he wants to put on the court — particularly when it comes to returning to the Finals.

"I think the optionality of being able to do multiple things is a huge factor for me," Hardy said. "I just don't think you can throw fastballs the whole playoffs and win. … You have to be able to pivot to something else on both sides of the floor because certain matchups give you different problems. I think we are building a foundation with our players being able to switch their mindset in a game or before a game. I think their mental approach to not getting flustered by the fact that things change is ultimately going to help us be successful in the playoffs."

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"Building a Foundation" — Work to be Done as Hardy and the Jazz Enter Pivotal Offseason

When Jason Preston signed a two-way contract with the Jazz on January 9, it was expected that the 24-year-old was going to spend the majority of his time in the G-League with the Salt Lake City Stars.&nbsp;

At the time, it was an ideal pairing to put Preston—one of the G-League’s best point guards and premier assists men—alongside Utah’s rookie duo of Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensabaugh. Both good players in their own right and former first round picks, Hendricks and Sensabaugh were not ready to create their own offense. Instead, the Stars needed a setup man to help get them into their spots so they can thrive.&nbsp;

After averaging 12.4 points, 8.6 assists, and 7.9 rebounds in 31.0 minutes for the Memphis Hustle during the early parts of the season, Preston was a revelation for the Stars. He averaged 16.9 points, 9.9 assists, and 9.4 rebounds in 35.2 minutes per game with a 50/45/88 slash line with the Stars

Not only did he lead the G-League in triple doubles since joining the Stars, Preston’s performance earned him All-NBA G-League First Team honors.&nbsp;

Preston got the call up to the Jazz late in the season when injuries ravaged their roster, playing in seven games while averaging 10.2 minutes per game. His impact was felt from a playmaking perspective as he helped Utah’s offense succeed in March/April. His best game came in a loss to the Clippers on April 5 when he finished with six points, six assists, and four rebounds in 17 minutes. He also dropped five assists and four rebounds against Minnesota on March 16.

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One of the G-League's Premier Assists Men, Preston Showed his Skills Translate to the NBA

Micah Potter takes a grounded approach to life in professional basketball. Potter knew that entering this year, he would likely spend most of his time in the G-League with the Salt Lake City Stars — yet that didn't bother him. He took it as a chance to get extended minutes against other professionals, a chance for his game to grow, and most importantly, a chance to stay ready for when his time came.&nbsp;

As injuries ravaged Utah's depth late in the season, head coach Will Hardy called on Potter to help fill out the roster and earn legitimate NBA minutes. Potter responded with some of the best basketball of his career, setting multiple career highs in the process and ending the year with some momentum.

In 16 games, Potter averaged 3.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game. He posted double digits in two games, including a career-high 11 points in Utah's victory over Atlanta on March 15. He also ended the year strong, finishing with 10 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks in a career-high 21 minutes.

"I've been waiting around for it. . … It's been a lot of fun," Potter said. "Obviously, I'm very thankful for the opportunity. I have a great surrounding group around me to keep me prepared, whether it's the G-League or whether it's up with the Jazz. We have a great staff, a great developmental staff."

After three seasons in the NBA/G-League, Potter has developed a niche as a big man capable of spreading the floor. In the NBA, he shot 47.5% from the floor and 42.9% from beyond the arc. In the G-League, Potter shot 50.8% from the floor and 37.3% from three (5.1 attempts per game).&nbsp;

"I think that's my biggest strength," Potter said of his ability to stretch the floor. "The ability to shoot the ball, that's something I've really tried to hone in on since becoming a pro is getting off threes in different situations and making sure your footwork is correct."

More than anything, Potter's extended run late in the season was vital for his development. It's one thing to practice against NBA players, but to get actual game experience with everything on the line is a part of the evolution process that can't be recreated.&nbsp;

"It's absolutely necessary in order to grow, really at all," Hardy said. "There's things that you can watch on film, but there's nothing like a game. And I think it also settles you down a little bit, knowing that one mistake, two mistakes, are not the end of your opportunity. … It allows you to play with a little bit less anxiety, so I think it's critical to get consistent minutes."

Potter is a restricted free agent next season.

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"Biggest Strength" — Potter's Long Range Shooting Key to his Performance with the Jazz

A midseason acquisition in February as part of a trade between the Jazz and Raptors, Kira Lewis Jr. knew he was joining a team with a crowded backcourt. Utah was armed with starters Keyonte George and Collin Sexton, reserves Jordan Clarkson and Kris Dunn, and Talen Horton-Tucker waiting in the wings when called upon.&nbsp;

With that in mind, Lewis Jr. took a unique approach to his time with the Jazz. Rather than fret over a lack of playing time, he spent the ensuing two months acclimating himself to the franchise while focusing on what he needed to do to improve. He didn’t waste his time in Utah, getting better every day by treating practices as his games.

In 12 games with the Jazz, Lewis Jr. averaged just 3.3 points and 1.6 assists in 9.9 minutes per game. Used mostly as a late-minutes reserve, he got his chance late in the season when injuries took their toll on the roster. He dropped 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists in a loss to Houston on March 23, shooting 4-of-9 from the field and 3-for-4 from the free-throw line.

In the season finale, Lewis Jr. finished with a season-high 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting. He added three rebounds, three assists, and one steal in the 123-116 loss to Golden State.&nbsp;

Currently wrapping up the final year of a four-year contract, Lewis. Jr is now a restricted free agent — set with a $7.9-million qualifying offer. It’s unknown if the Jazz will pick up the offer – but they do have the option of keeping him around this offseason to get an extended look at him during Summer League before making a final decision.

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Acquired Via Trade in February, Lewis Jr. Made the Most of his Time in Utah

When the 2022-23 NBA season ended, Luka Šamanić felt good about what had transpired over the past month.&nbsp;

After signing with the Jazz as a midseason acquisition, he was reunited with head coach Will Hardy, whom he knew from his time in San Antonio and Boston. Having that previous relationship allowed Šamanić to end the year on a high note — including a career-high 23-point performance against Denver — and take some much-needed momentum into the offseason.&nbsp;

A summer in Utah’s program allowed Šamanić to enter this year with a much better mindset, one that was more focused on getting better and helping the team win rather than sulking about a lack of playing time or being in the G-League. That change in mentality led the way for the best season of his four-year career, proving that the handwork and deception to his craft showed he belongs in the NBA.

In a career-high 43 games played (seven starts), Šamanić averaged 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. Carving out a role within the Jazz was the real success after grinding for many years. He ended the season with four consecutive double-digit scoring games, including his first career double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) on April 9 against the defending champs.&nbsp;

“It’s the only way to stay professional. … You’ve got to work because you never know when you’re gonna play,” Šamanić said. “One thing I’ve learned throughout this is that you’ve got to stay working, really even harder when you don’t play. You see all these other guys play, and then you’ve got to come in the next day and work even harder. … But if you can channel that and use it as a motivation, it can be a good thing.”

Knowing Šamanić since the Spurs drafted him in 2019, Hardy was able to give a more profound and unique take on Šamanić’s growth since those days five years ago.&nbsp;

“He’s 180 degrees different in his approach,” Hardy said. “I think Luka would be the first person to tell you he didn’t handle it great. … His youth sort of showed, and he was a little immature at times. He’s never been a bad dude. He’s never been somebody that you didn’t want to coach. … But I think he didn’t deal with adversity as well as he does now.”

An unrestricted free agent heading into next year, Šamanić can sign with any team.

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"Stay Working" — Šamanić's Growth led to Expanded Role with the Jazz

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