THE Utah Jazz and their administration has made certain to do their due diligence in accumulating younger expertise over the previous two offseasons, however there have nonetheless been a couple of gamers added to the combination who’ve been underappreciated amid the workforce’s thrilling youth motion.
Amongst these underrated gamers is Johnny Juzang, a 23-year-old guard coming into his third skilled season in Utah, beneath a conventional NBA contract after two straight seasons on a two-way deal. This season represents a major alternative to see much more motion than he did in his final two years, and will result in a profession marketing campaign for the UCLA product.
Juzang not too long ago obtained notable credit score from Bleacher Report Jonathan Wassermanwho dubbed the purpose guard amongst his seven G League gamers “NBA prepared” for the 2024-25 season. Wasserman notes that whereas Utah could have a couple of different engaging prospects to develop, Juzang made a robust case for an enhanced position in his third yr in Salt Lake Metropolis:
“Johnny Juzang seemed like a professional with the Utah Jazz late final season, after averaging 20.5 factors in 34 video games with the Salt Lake Metropolis Stars. He shot 41.6 p.c from three-point vary in 20 NBA appearances, and there is not any doubt the 23-year-old’s foremost enchantment is his capturing capability… Utah probably has higher-priority prospects to develop, together with 2024 lottery choose Cody Williams and former first-round choose Brice Sensabaugh. However Juzang made a compelling case for G League minutes and his 372 NBA minutes.”
– Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report
Juzang has performed in 38 video games over his first two seasons within the league. Averaging simply over quarter-hour per recreation, he’s averaging 6.1 factors per recreation, 2.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists on 40.2 p.c capturing and 33.2 p.c from three-point vary. Since going undrafted by UCLA, the 6-foot-2 level guard has confirmed to be an excellent shooter and scorer when given the chance.
He emerged final season as an environment friendly three-point shooter, averaging 41.6 p.c from three on just below 4 makes an attempt per recreation. Whereas he primarily serves as a secondary scorer as a one-time risk in Utah’s offense, there may be worth in capturing with him on the courtroom.
Juzang’s largest hurdle this season could also be discovering a task in Utah’s crowded backcourt. He’ll be competing for minutes alongside names like Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson and even rookies Isaiah Collier and Cody Williams who will discover a place within the Jazz’s rotation.
The expertise is there for Juzang, however it might take a couple of trades or accidents to carve out a vital spot on the 10-man roster for 12 months 3. Nonetheless, the excellent news for the Jazz is that Juzang ought to be within the fold for the foreseeable future after signing a brand new four-year deal final summer time.
