While there are now not many people left on the free agent market and the workforce, except for upheaval via the expected trades of Damian Lillard and James Harden, is almost complete, it’s time to take stock of the first summer for all 30 NBA franchises. And after Detroit, Houston, San Antonio, Charlotte, Portland, then Orlando, Washington, and Indiana, it’s Utah’s turn to go on the gridiron, a franchise which, like many teams that have arrived in the belly slack of their respective conferences, will have to find the right adjustments to overcome an additional level.
SEASON 2022/23
37 wins – 45 losses (22nd)9th attack: 115.3 points scored on 100 possessions23rd defense: 116 points conceded out of 100 possessions
ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES
Arrivals : Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, John Collins, Omer Yurtseven, Departures Damian Jones, Rudy Gay, Vernon Carey Jr.
WORKFORCE 2023/24
Leaders : Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton, Kris DunnFull-backs/wingers : Talen Horton-Tucker, Ochai Agbaji, Keyonte George, Simone Fontecchio, Brice SensabaughInteriors : John Collins, Lauri Markkanen, Kelly Olynyk, Taylor Hendricks, Luka Samanic, Walker Kessler, Omer Yurtseven
THE LIKELY MAJOR FIVE
Jordan Clarkson – Talen Horton-Tucker – Simone Fontecchio – Lauri Markkanen – Walker Kessler
THE OBJECTIVE
Continue its rise in the hierarchy in the West. Rebuild processes can take more or less time depending on a whole bunch of parameters. We think of the Hornets since the departure of Kemba Walker or the Rockets for three years. For Utah, the “process” may take a little less time. After drawing a line on the past by separating from coach Quin Snyder and his two leaders, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, last summer, the Salt Lake City franchise will finally have quickly rebounded.
The Jazzmen were even the surprise team at the start of last season, pointing to first place in the West after a month of competition. They then gradually fell into line to finish in freewheel (14 defeats in the last 20 games) following a “trade deadline” which will have left its mark, with the departures of Mike Conley, but also Nickeil Alexander- Walker, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt who curbed the ambitions of Will Hardy’s players.
Utah therefore ended badly but ended the season with two certainties and not the least: that of having got their hands on a good coach, capable of getting the best out of a brand new group, with pleasant basketball, and above all, for having identified its “franchise player” in the person of Lauri Markkanen, surprise guest of the last All-Star Game and voted Most Improved Player. Extended, Jordan Clarkson has (finally) become a starter, and a future talent has emerged in position 5 with Walker Kessler, selected for the World Cup. This is enough to start making a good base, it now remains to continue to build the rest to continue to climb in the hierarchy in the West and, why not, see the play-in next April.
QUESTIONS
What cohabitation for the Collins-Markkanen tandem?
The Jazzmen had already tried to recover John Collins before the “trade deadline”, and they ended up grabbing it this summer, against not much. Utah has therefore dug up a strong winger of choice, except that he is playing in the same position as Lauri Markkanen, who has regained his ease alongside Walker Kessler in 5. As it is hard to imagine Will Hardy shifting the Finn back to 3 as in Cleveland, the choice to bring in John Collins raises questions, given his enormous salary. Especially since position 3 remains quite weak… See you at the start of the school year to find out more about the rotation that Coach Hardy will choose. As a reminder, Utah also drafted a position 4 with its 9th choice by taking Taylor Hendricks, a profile at PJ Washington, a slender strong winger rather “3-and-D”.
What options on outdoor stations?
Following the many departures previously mentioned on positions 1, 2 and 3, Utah seems to have gone back in search of benchmarks at the level of its rears. Extended, Jordan Clarkson is guaranteed to start. The Jazz should also ensure a good place for Collin Sexton as 6th or 7th man in the rotation, but who to support them? The Jazz still seems to be looking for the right move in this sector and should first count on the quartet Fontecchio- Horton-Tucker – Agbaji – George as a complement, hoping to find there again a nugget with strong development potential as was the case with Kessler…
