The general expectation is Utah will select a point guard after Mike Conley’s uninspiring debut season in a Jazz uniform. The natural choice here is Nico Mannion, who began his college career in many draftniks’ top 10.
Mannion’s slide is mostly due to his athletic limitations. An uninspiring first step and limited burst make it difficult for Mannion to pressure the rim and, in turn, create effectively for teammates, despite his impressive basketball I.Q. He’s one of the smartest passers available, but he can’t leverage that passing if he struggles to get inside and create angles.
Another potential issue for Mannion is defense. It’s not for a lack of trying, but his limitations will inevitably show up on that end as well. He has the shooting stroke and the passing chops to immediately contribute to an NBA squad, but the Jazz would be placing a bet on smarts and skill over potentially crippling athleticism.