In Salt Lake City, we are continuing in the same direction, despite the successful return of the mountains on the jersey. The post-Gobert – Mitchell era that began in 2022 thus continues with this same shared desire to build an identity and include fresh blood to blend in. Long in uncertainty – and waiting for a possible interesting counterpart in an exchange – the Jazz finally extended Lauri Markkanen before his contract expires at the end of the season. The Finn will remain the figurehead of Utah, even if the victories are not yet there. And the summer choices are going on the same path of rejuvenation, with a turbulent Draft but few reinforcements in the short term.
Of the six new faces on the roster (excluding “two-way contracts”), three were picked up during the Draft as in 2023. After Taylor Hendricks last year, the Jazz this time retained Cody Williams at the end of the Top 10 to strengthen the wings. Jalen's little brother was once expected to be higher in the hierarchy before injuries slowed his rise in Colorado. But his talent and potential make him a very intriguing profile and one that fits perfectly with the trend of complete wings.
Recovering prospects who were somewhat overlooked by the competition was clearly the mantra of the Jazz management who attracted point guard Isaiah Collier, who went from number one in ESPN's “Mock Draft” at the end of November to 29e choice, and the interior Kyle Filipowski, fallen at the beginning of the second round after having been announced for a time in the lottery. Reinforcements at a lower cost and which come to densify the rotation of Will Hardy. This one will live a season rich in choices to find the right balance between individual and collective progress. Keyonte George Will he be confirmed at point guard? Can Lauri Markkanen and Taylor Hendricks be paired in the starting five? And what to do under the circle between a Walker Kessler who has been downgraded after his great rookie season, and John Collins, who is not a professional center?
Utah is shaping up to be one of the league's major testing labs in the coming months. And the contractual situation of Collins, Kessler, Collin Sexton or Jordan Clarkson, who are entering the penultimate season of their leases, is not going to calm down “mad scientist” Danny Ainge at the helm. It wouldn't be surprising to see some of these players well exposed in the first half of the season in order to better put them on the market during the winter and attract ambitious teams looking for reinforcements…
SUMMER MOVEMENTS
Arrivals: Isaiah Collier, Drew Eubanks, Kyle Filipowski, Patty Mills, Svi Mykhailiuk, Oscar Tshiebwe (two-way contract), Cody Williams
Departures: Darius Bazley, Kris Dunn, Talen Horton-Tucker, Kenneth Lofton Jr, Luka Samanic, Ömer Yurtseven
PLAYER TO WATCH: LAURI MARKKANEN
Lauri Markkanen may only be 27 years old, but he's more of a veteran than ever among the Salt Lake City “kids.” Now signed to a contract that matches his All-Star-level production, the 2023 MIP must confirm his last two quality seasons.
With the “Finnisher” on the floor, Utah kept a +/-, the difference in points when a player is on the floor compared to when he is on the bench, positive even in a season with only 37.8% victories. The sign of his contribution, especially in attack, in the ten best +/- of the league in front of players like Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum or Kevin Durant. His new lease cements his place as a framework around which the Jazz wants to build.
The next challenge for him will be to limit the number of games missed, 43 in two years at Utah. His complete game in attack could serve as a model for development for Taylor Hendricks and Cody Williams, still raw in this sector.
Average age: 23.4 years
Payroll: $149.2 million (29e)
THE IDEAL SCENARIO
37 wins in 2023, 31 in 2024, and below 30 in 2025? The scenario is plausible, and it is anything but a problem… As long as we don't just throw the season without a goal.
The Jazz puzzle is already partly in place, it just needs to be given the right conditions to grow. The goal is therefore simple: give the young talent as much room as possible with playing time and responsibilities, while working on the team's weak points, defense first and foremost. Cody Williams' immense segments should help in this register, even if he won't be able to change everything on his own.
A successful season would see George, Hendricks, Williams, Collier and company make progress on a larger or smaller scale, regardless of the number of wins, while also further structuring the squad. It is probably time to decongest certain positions with redundant profiles, the Sexton – Clarkson duo for example.
Without making a sound, Collin Sexton took advantage of the lack of talent in Salt Lake City to sign a real rebound last year (25.3 points at 48.7% including 39.4% at three-pointers and 6.6 assists over 36 minutes in 78 games) and could continue his return to his best level, offering new perspectives to Utah… both sporting and possibly commercial.
THE WORST SCENARIO
The end of the season in total freewheeling does not really encourage optimism: 5 wins for 21 losses after the All-Star Game including 13 consecutive losses, and a defense in dire straits (over 120 points conceded on average). In its nursery, the Jazz has bet on certain gambles, be careful that they do not turn out to be losers when all piled up.
The Keyonte George – Isaiah Collier duo at the point guard certainly promises to be a spectacle, but between the former's lack of offensive efficiency and the latter's tendency to rush headlong, game management could prove problematic. Be careful that Collier and the other rookie Kyle Filipowski do not hit a physical wall. The point guard relied heavily on his speed and power to exist in the NCAA, but will now discover a much more substantial opposition. The former Duke player has the centimeters but neither the wingspan nor the mobility to impose himself against the best interior scorers. The Jazz's season could also turn into an anecdote if the infirmary fills up between Markkanen, Clarkson, Kessler, Collins or Williams.
Not to mention that it is not necessarily easy to build a culture when the big sports boss is ready to exchange everyone, and no member of the squad is truly untouchable…
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