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Utah Jazz select Udoka Azubuike with the 27th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft

Utah makes a surprising pick at 27

NCAA Basketball: Kansas at Baylor Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

With the 27th Pick the Utah Jazz picked Udoka Azubuike. Earlier in the day Utah traded back in the draft to make this pick and ended up having multiple guys available that they were likely hoping for at 23 like Desmond Bane and Jaden McDaniels. Although, they ended up passing on them for a center in Azubuike.

Stats

2019-2020 Season Stats: 13.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 0.9 assists, 74.8% shooting, 44.1% free throw shooting.

Measurements

Azubuike has some serious size at 7’ with a 7’7” wingspan. Utah traded Bradley after this pick so if the Jazz are re-signing Rudy Gobert, Azubuike could be a very nice backup center.

For Utah this needs to pan out because they had multiple good options available. Utah’s goal was to improve the defense without sacrificing spacing. This will do that with the second unit as Azubuike will catch multiple lobs with the second unit.

This pick also tells you a lot about how the Jazz view next season. They’re looking to pick players that help now and by moving Bradley and replacing him with Azubuike, the Jazz likely feel that their team make up is solid and they’re going to make another run next season with this same core.