Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Provo, Utah. Currently writing for SB Nation and FanSided, he has covered theUtah Jazz andBYU athletics since 2024 and graduated from Utah Valley University.
The Western Conference is haunting me.
Yes, it’s been a week since I fawned over some of the most enticing hoopers that the Eastern half of the NBA had to offer, and wouldn’t you know it? I’m still not over the idea that the Utah Jazz deserve — nay — are entitled to every other team’s best players.
You say that’s not how basketball works? Sure, you’re right, but this is the offseason, and what I want is what I receive. Such is life for a lifelong Utah Jazz supporter.
So, which of the Western Conference’s finest would look best in the purple mountains (NOT yellow and black), and which players would immediately drain my bank account to get my hands on their replica jersey?
I am yet a sinner, and I covet these names across the league; here are 14 Western Conference players whom I simply cannot quit.
Western Conference’s Least Eligible: 14 players whom I wish played for the Utah Jazz
2025 NBA Playoffs - Oklahoma City Thunder v Denver Nuggets - Game Six Christian Braun? Yes please.
Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images
Christian Braun - Denver Nuggets
I know, I know, another white guy playing in Utah, but hear me out. Consider everything you know about the stereotypical white hooper archetype, and what do you imagine? A lanky strawpole with suspect athleticism loitering in the corner who knocks down 3-pointers on offense and keeps out of the way on defense?
Braun subverts convention with the spelling of his last name, and does likewise with his playstyle. An eye-popping athlete and defensive pest, this guy has been one of Jokic’s favorite toys in Denver, and I envy their recent draft record.
Nikeil Alexander-Walker - Minnesota Timberwolves
Yes, I’m aware that there are objectively more valuable players on the T-Wolves roster — I watched the playoffs, too. But what controls my consciousness about NAW is how the Jazz simply gave him away in the Mike Conley - Russell Westbrook trade. Since dumping him off to their Northwest rivals, the Utah Jazz have been haunted by the reflection of Nikeil’s exceptional perimeter defense and 3-point upside.
Minnesota Timberwolves v Oklahoma City Thunder - Game Five Cody’s big brother has been pretty good. Must be genetic.
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Cody Williams’ Brother - Oklahoma City Thunder
Ever since the Thunder picked up this mid-major standout, I recognized the family resemblance with an up-and-coming prospect named Cody Williams, an eventual All-American and top 10 selection in the NBA Draft. Sure, what’s-his-name lives in the shadow of his little brother (who already plays for the Jazz, of course). Jalen shows promise, though, as a secondary scorer, ball-handler, and playmaker. I sometimes consider how the Jazz would benefit from a *Parent Trap-*style swap.
Shaedon Sharpe - Portland Trail Blazers
There may not be another player in the NBA who digs more “Hoooooooo boy”-utterances from me than Portland’s high-flying Shaedon Sharpe. He’s a touch limited as a shooter (his efficiency has only dropped on higher volume), but as an athlete, there may be zero limit for this guy. Soar, Mister Sharpe. Like an eagle over the Oregon Trail — soar.
Jonathan Kuminga - Golden State Warriors
Is there a more “I can fix him” player in basketball than Kuminga? A player with a seemingly loaded toolbox, yet almost never dusts off his exceptional skillset. Maybe he’s a touch too hypothetical, but an athlete as gifted as Kuminga is an unfortunate sight when his legendary teammate, Stephen Curry, seemingly never has enough help at his side.
But things would be different in Utah, right?
Norman Powell - Los Angeles Clippers
Yes, he sounds more like a high school shop teacher than an NBA basketball player, but Norm can flat-out score the basketball. It hasn’t been easy for him either, as he finally broke into his full potential after getting traded to LA. Now, as a 20 points-per-game scorer and 40% 3-point shooter, who cares that it took him nine years to reach this point? He’s a borderline All-Star in a loaded West.
2025 NBA Playoffs - Minnesota Timberwolves v Los Angeles Lakers AR-15 is great. Moving on.
Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Austin Reaves - Los Angeles Lakers
He’s very good — we get it. Utah has been in trade rumors about Reaves for so long, I’m almost annoyed by his inclusion on this list. But I know the Lakers are never giving up LeBron or Luka, so Austin will do just fine. The best part of Reaves as a player, though, is his rapid and steady improvement season by season. He plays 34 minutes a night for good reason.
Ryan Dunn - Phoenix Suns
If you’re still unfamiliar with Ryan Dunn’s game, I’d say it's high time you get familiar. 3-balls: blam-o (sometimes). Defense: stone wall. Hustle: you bet. He was a big question mark coming out of the University of Virginia, but proved to be a rare bright spot for the sputtering Suns.
Malik Monk - Sacramento Kings (Bulls West)
Look, there isn’t a plethora (yes, I said plethora) of reasons to envy the Sacramento Kings, and there unfortunately never really has been post 2002’s A-Team. But Malik Monk is a useful addition to any roster with his 3-point shooting and pure scoring touch. Limited on defense, sure, but any basketball team would gladly accept the services of a Monk archetype.
Cooper Flagg - Dallas Mavericks
Okay, so technically, Flagg won’t be with the Mavs until draft night, but his selection at the top of the class is a foregone conclusion. As long as Dallas holds the number one spot, Cooper is theirs.
What does Flagg do? Everything, and he does everything very well. Above-average athleticism in an NBA-ready 6’9” frame. Hustle, drive, and grit sufficient to pave a highway. Scoring touch. Natural playmaking chops. There’s no way around it: Cooper is the man. But let us not forget: he should have been a Jazzman.
2025 NBA Playoffs - Golden State Warriors v Houston Rockets Majesty.
Amen Thompson - Houston Rockets
Sure, everyone is already aboard the Thompson Twins train (Hold Me Now plays in the background), but Amen is the real deal. Freakish athleticism and burst paired with pure brute strength and a sneer that could burn the alcohol right out of a jug of tequila, his pre-draft assessment was dead-on: all he needs is a jumper, and the NBA will have no answer.
GG Jackson - Memphis Grizzlies
Who could have suspected GG would be one of the best players in his draft class? Though he dropped in the draft thanks to his attitude and antics at South Carolina, Jackson is one of the more talented players on the Grizzlies' roster.
He still has plenty to prove, of course, and his NBA output hasn’t been as consistent as a player with his talent needs to deliver, but Utah would take GG in a heartbeat, along with most of the league.
Trey Murphy III - New Orleans Pelicans
How telling that Zion Williamson isn’t the most valuable asset on the Pelicans at this point in his career. Trey Murphy has emerged as a deadeye from distance, and a lift-off/throw-down threat every time he steps into the paint. Another of New Orleans’ infinite supply of lengthy wings, Murphy stands out from the crowd.
Victor Wembanyama - San Antonio Spurs
Victor was the draft prize in Utah’s first rebuilding season, and most expected Utah to hold a very good chance of securing his talents with the roster they held. But Lauri became an All-Star, and the team around him overperformed drastically. With the unpredictable nature of the NBA Draft lottery, anything could have happened when the ping pong balls fell, but the fact that Wemby will likely never lace up for the Jazz will never lose its sting.