There is a lot more excitement about the Utah Jazz coming into this season than there was last season. They have a more exciting youth and Lauri Markkanen looks set for a return to form. However, with the moves they’ve made this offseason, there’s a big question mark surrounding one aspect of their roster: their backcourt.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report asked what he called “the biggest questions” for every NBA team. When he arrived at the Jazz, he asked, “Will the backcourt and front office allow the frontcourt to function?”
After Buckley called the Jazz’s frontcourt in Markkanen, Walker Kessler, Ace Bailey, Kyle Filipowski and Taylor Hendricks a “legitimately interesting group,” he continued that, “it could be if this unproven (and in some cases disappointing) backcourt actually gets the basketball.” And if this front office doesn’t just pull the plug at the first sign of life, knowing it’s a top-eight security pick to… well, protect.”
This is the caveat to the Jazz cleaning house as it led to their two most proven defensive players, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, being kicked off the roster. Now Keyonte George, Isaiah Collier and Walter Clayton Jr. remain. essentially their only options in the backcourt.
To be fair, that will be part of the fun to see which of these three could stand out, the fact remains that none of them inspire too much confidence at the moment.
-George has had a mediocre season, although he has had a pretty good preseason and clearly wants to be more of a leader.
-Collier has proven himself as a playmaker, but he still has a ways to go as a shooter to become a legitimate threat.
-Clayton is a rookie who has made an impact in the locker room, but still hasn’t proven himself.
If any of these three stand out this season and in turn make Utah’s frontcourt better, the Jazz’s future will only look brighter.
The Jazz may rely on unorthodox methods to support their play
While it’s pretty clear what these three *could* be for the Jazz going forward, it’s no guarantee that any of them will make the leap the team is hoping for. if they don’t, the Jazz may be able to rely on other playmaking methods.
Jusuf Nurkic, for example, looked great from the high post. The Jazz can make plays through him if it proves to make the team better. Cody Williams hasn’t proven much, but he could be an overachieving point guard if he shows anything. Utah could shock the world and add someone like Ben Simmons.
Yeah, none of these sound particularly appealing. Utah is counting on one or more of their three young guards to blossom this season. For all we know, they all will be, but for now they remain a big question mark.
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