It seems that the Utah Jazz The Jazz have a starting roster in place for the 2024-25 season. Led by Lauri Markkanen, the Jazz will be entering the third year of their rebuild, and from that perspective, player development and draft position should take precedence over winning basketball games this season.
So what about the opening night five starters? Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George have the point guard and power forward spots, but the starting guard, power forward and center spots are still up for grabs. Let’s predict which players will start and who will come off the bench.
Shooting Guard – Collin Sexton
If Utah wants to go all out to start the season, then Sexton should be the starter. Sexton earned an All-Star number in his second season in Salt Lake City and, after Markkanen, is Utah’s most valuable player.
Starting Sexton makes perfect sense on paper, but what if Utah decides to push to derail the season? If that’s the case, then Cody Williams and Bryce Sensabaugh become candidates. Williams is the player with the most potential, while Sensabaugh is more familiar with Jazz head coach Will Hardy’s system.
There’s also 2023 opener Jordan Clarkson. The opportunity to reclaim the starting job has presented itself for the former Sixth Man of the Year, and we can expect Clarkson to once again become the first player off the bench.
The starting guard position may not be as solid as the point guard and wing positions, but it’s close. It’s Sexton’s starting position that’s going to be lost.
Power Forward – Taylor Hendricks
Here’s another decision that depends on the Jazz’s approach to starting the season. If player development is a priority, then Hendricks should be the starter. His competition is John Collins, who was the 2023 opener.
Hendricks is young and raw and needs live reps to reach his full potential. This would be the year to do it, with the Jazz targeting a top-5 pick in the 2025 draft.
As for Collins, his days in Salt Lake City are numbered. The Jazz missed the mark with Collins and will be looking to move on from him as soon as the opportunity presents itself. I’d be surprised if he gets the starting job over Hendricks in a rebuilding year.
Keep in mind that Collins could be around for a while, given that he has two years left on a contract that is not team-friendly. Playing behind underdeveloped players is not ideal for someone looking to cash in on their next contract. It could create an uncomfortable situation in the locker room if Collins doesn’t maintain his spot in the pecking order.
Center – Walker Kessler
Collins started last year as a starting power forward but finished the year starting at center. His skill set is conducive to the offensive plays that Hardy likes to run, unlike his competitor, Walker Kessler. Hardy wants his big men to be able to space the floor in a five-man attack.
However, I think the trend is for Kessler to reclaim the starting job to start the season. Utah management has been criticized in the past for changing course and taking a player development approach after the trade deadline rather than being consistent throughout the season.
This could be the year Utah goes all-in on player development from day one. That would mean less time for Collins, Clarkson and Sexton and more time for the five draft picks Utah has taken in the last two drafts. This season, the youth movement should be alive and well in Salt Lake City.
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