While most of the Jazz‘s starting five is known, there’s still a bit of mystery surrounding who will take the reins of the starting point spot. Tony Jones of The Athletic breaks down five options Utah has at the spot, including Kris Dunn, Talen Horton-Tucker, Jordan Clarkson (if he doesn’t start at shooting guard), Collin Sexton and Keyonte George.
There are pros and cons to every option. Horton-Tucker offers the physicality and athletic tools that Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler and John Collins do, but he’s still raw at playing the point. Clarkson allows Utah to play with its lineup options but gives the team just one ball-handler in its starting lineup and affects their point-of-attack defense. Jones believes that Dunn’s ability to defend and willingness to defer make him the most natural option to start at point guard.
I recommend reading the piece in full, as Jones provides in-depth insight for each option. Regardless of who ends up taking over the 2023/24 starting spot, Jones says that George could very well be the starting point guard of the future.
There’s more Utah:
- The Jazz announced they have partnered with technology company Kiswe to begin a streaming service that will be available to fans as soon as this upcoming season, Sarah Todd of The Deseret News reports. According to Todd, the price point and release date will be revealed in late September, right around when the product goes on sale. This is the latest in a flurry of moves by Jazz owner Ryan Smith in making games more accessible to fans. For example, the team announced in June that Smith Entertainment Group, the parent company of the Jazz, was partnering with KJZZ to bring games to television again.
- Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio is suiting up for Italy in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Italy has gotten off to a hot start in their prep games, with Fontecchio scoring 17 points against Greece. In a recent interview with Eurohoops, Fontecchio spoke about his team’s current success. “We want to do our best and play well,” Fontecchio said, “You need to be lucky, to arrive in the perfect condition and play one game at a time. We have a good group.“
- In case you missed it, the Jazz are projected to have the third-most cap space in the 2024 offseason, with Spotrac contributor Keith Smith projecting Utah to have $41.6MM in space, behind the Spurs and Magic.
This is the Land of the misfit toys – Randolph the Red Nose Reindeer
The streaming deal sounds pretty great! Kiswe is the service that the Clippers and Suns use as well. The NBA is also involved, naturally. They likely had the make sure what the offering was and details. Hopefully, the quality of the stream will be top-notch. Otherwise, I’ll just have to DVR KJZZ and watch when I can I don’t always watch the game live.
As for the PG spot, Dunn’s defense and passing put him in the lead to start, in my mind. Of course, that’s until Keyonte is ready. PG position is usually the hardest to learn. Although, I do like THT’s physicality and continued improvement.
Fonntechio is an interesting dilemma for the Jazz. His shooting and size made him a perfect replacement for Bogey. However, the language barrier likely made it much harder for him to get acclimated. He did have some nice games, but he still needs to prove he can be consistent this year.
The available cap space the Jazz have is partially because of Fonntechio. It’s also because of THT, Olynyk, Dunn?, and some other smaller contracts.
I imagine the Jazz will just use the cap space like they did this Summer. They’ll look for a team dumping a contract and pick up another nice veteran.
Although, if the Jazz make the playoffs then I imagine they might get some more interest from free agents looking to win. I could see the Jazz getting up to the 4th or 5th seed. Part of that is other teams’ implosions and improvements. Going to be another fun year for the Jazz!
I really hope it goes to Colin Sexton.
Decent size at 6’2, when focused is actually a decent defender. Averaged over 20 points per games for 2 seasons. Not the greatest passer but is known to be able to share the rock having paired Garland in a somewhat off ball role.
Considering the ball will likely go through Markeneen, I’d start Sexton for his floor spacing and secondary plays making and scoring while not being a complete liability on defence.
Dunn isn’t much bigger than Sexton, offers very little shooting and spacing and although a good passer you not running the offence through him it’s going through Lauri.
Clarkson suits that sixth man role and THT is probably abit raw for starting PG but I wouldn’t mind him getting reps and developing there.
Dunn’s outside shooting was actually really good. He just prefers to drive and kick or get all the way to the basket. Sexton is just faster. However, that can lend to being a bit reckless. Dunn, however, is always under control and clever with the ball.
Clarkson was the starting SG last year. The Jazz didn’t just extend his contract, they renegotiated it to be better. That would suggest he’ll be the starting SG again.
Markkanen isn’t a facilitator, but the ball did go through him more than anyone else. Although, not by much over Clarkson. Markkanen was just very efficient with the ball. Doesn’t need as many touches to put up big numbers.
THT is still raw, yes. At least he was last year until he really showed great progress at the end of the year. He’s bigger, longer, and just as aggressive as Sexton. Put up some big assist games as well. If Sexton gets injured again then I’d expect THT to be a strong candidate for PG minutes.
As for 6th man, Sexton played that role all year long last year, when healthy. He essentially replaced Clarkson’s previous role. He’s just doing it at the PG position. Agbaji was paired with him, at SG, a lot more towards the end of the year. Could see that again this year.
Still hard to predict what will happen this year at PG. The talent on this year’s team got better at every position, including PG because of Keyonte George.
Keyonte’s injury in Summer League will likely keep the Jazz cautious for at least the first part of year. However, he’s actually my preferred choice for starting PG. Just a matter of time.
The Jazz looking decent. The Collins addition plus plenty cap space still. At the PG rooting for the rookie.