When a team is rebuilding, there isn’t much to worry about other than whether it attracts the right young talent to develop. That is certainly the case with the Utah Jazz, but a valid concern for them is their injuries. However, it’s not like their injuries would really be a problem for them this season.
ESPN’s Michael C. Wright explained how Utah’s injuries could be their biggest concern this season.
“Injuries are already starting to pile up for Collier (hamstring), Filipowski (lower back), Walker Kessler (left shoulder), Lauri Markkanen (left wrist) and Georges Niang (left foot). Markkanen is Utah’s top player and is coming off a season in which he played a low 47 games. Over his eight-year career, he averaged just 56.3 games per season,” Wright wrote.
The Jazz are also dealing with some uncertainty at the moment with Ace Bailey, though it doesn’t appear to be serious. Anyway, this is a fair point from Wright, but is it that bad if the Jazz get bitten by the injury bug this season?
They were last season (technically), and if they’re willing to admit they did some of the truth about those injuries, that’s what got them Bailey when it was all said and done. Austin Ainge made it clear that fans won’t see a repeat of last year, but it’s not the Jazz’s worst fate ever legit injuries this season.
Injuries increase their chances of refueling
No one is suggesting that the Jazz are better off if they get hurt because, quite frankly, they’re going to stink either way. However, no one will lose any sleep if they have some guys out for an extended period as it will likely help their tanking chances and give some of their other young players a chance to stand out.
That’s the beauty of a renovation. Since Utah currently has no expectations this season, they can afford for some of their guys to miss time because fans don’t expect them to win. It’s not like it’s a perfect strategy, though, as what fans want to see is a young roster at full strength to evaluate who is worth keeping around.
Utah would probably prefer to see what the duo of Bailey and Lauri Markkanen look like on the floor, so it would be a shame if they don’t get to see that. The upside, however, is that any injuries will allow them to get a high pick, or at least keep the pick they owe to OKC.
People may hate this sentiment, and no one supports it, but if there’s one season where the Utah Jazz have really struggled with injuries, it’s this season.
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