‘Why not us?’ Keyonte George thinks Utah Jazz can be playoff team

CHICAGO – Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George and majority proprietor Ryan Smith agreed on a mindset earlier than Sunday’s NBA draft lottery: “Why not us?”

With George representing the Jazz on stage, the franchise entered the lottery hoping to land the No. 1 decide and put itself in place to pick native star AJ Dybantsa of BYU. While the Jazz did not win the highest spot, they have been rewarded with the absolute best comfort prize, receiving the second general choice.

By including a No. 2 decide to a gifted Jazz roster that features former Memphis Grizzlies ahead Jaren Jackson Jr., George believes the playoffs are in Utah’s attain.

“It was pretty funny, since I was just talking to Ryan,” George informed Andscape after the draft lottery at Navy Pier on Sunday. “We had received on the cellphone. I used to be similar to, ‘Why not us?’ And then he was like, ‘Why not us?’ But yeah, we have already got a gifted group. The proven fact that this group truly will get this chance, I’m excited, for certain.

“There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be striving to be in the postseason and go far in the postseason. Obviously, the ultimate goal for myself is to win a championship. So, with these pieces that we got, we’re starting our journey to get to that point.”

Dybantsa is the highest prospect within the draft, in keeping with ESPN’s Jeremy Woo. The Jazz have reached out to the Washington Wizards, who’ve the No. 1 decide, about doubtlessly buying and selling as much as land the previous BYU standout, a supply stated.

Even if Dybantsa is chosen by Washington, as anticipated, Utah will nonetheless have gifted choices to select from in Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke heart Cameron Boozer and North Carolina ahead Caleb Wilson, who spherical out Woo’s high 4 prospects.

George talked to Peterson and gave him a hug after the draft lottery. Peterson, who averaged 20.2 factors and 1.6 assists per sport for the Jayhawks final season, informed Andscape he desires to be a degree guard within the NBA.

“I just told him [Peterson] to buckle up, that’s all,” George stated.

With Peterson and George doubtlessly within the backcourt and a projected frontcourt of Ace Bailey alongside two former NBA All-Stars in Jackson and Lauri Markkanen, George believes the Jazz can be a team to be reckoned with after years of battle.

The final time the Jazz made the postseason was 2022. This previous season, they struggled with accidents and completed 22-60.

“We get a top-two talent in the draft and get to build on the changes we made with getting Jaren,” stated George, who’s 6-foot-4 and 185 kilos. “It’s simply lots of issues going proper for the group proper now. On paper, we’re positively a playoff team. Honestly, there’s only a completely different versatility that we’ve. You received guys who can play [point guard] to [shooting guard]. You received guys who play the [power forward] that can transfer to the [center position].

“And then we got [Jazz head coach] Will Hardy. I know people know about Will. But his X’s and O’s and the way he breaks down the game for us, that’s really what gives me the confidence, honestly. Having Will and our coaches, the talent is going to take care of itself.”

After a breakthrough season in 2025-26 through which he shot a career-high 37.1% from 3-point vary and averaged a career-high 23.6 factors and 6.1 assists per sport, George is eyeing his first NBA All-Star look in 2027.

Getting the No. 2 decide, including Jackson and having actual playoff aspirations has additionally given the rising Jazz star additional motivation this offseason.

“I got kind of hurt towards the end, but I think I got another gear,” George stated. “I tell myself all the time to get better towards the end. This summer is an even bigger summer for me because of the changes we made. I have to take my game to a whole other level.”