As of Wednesday night, the Utah Jazz were missing four regular rotation players – Lauri Markkanen (right quad contusion), Walker Kessler (right foot sprain), Keyonte George (illness) and Taylor Hendricks (left toe sprain). .
Jazz fans should expect Hendricks to be out for a few games, at least a week depending on the team. While the team has not announced a timetable for Kessler or Markkanen, I remind fans that the team is known for being ultra cautious when it comes to injuries.
Not heading to the playoffs, the Jazz have more incentive to give injured players additional time, as they did last season with Jordan Clarkson, Markkanen, Collin Sexton and Kessler.
The exception here is George, who will probably return soon once he feels better. But what do these other injuries mean for the rotations?
Rookie Brice Sensabaugh made his first start Wednesday and did a very good job with an extended opportunity. Because he continues to show a little more with every opportunity he is given, it would make sense for the Jazz to give him as much time as possible during this latter part of the season, even when George returns.
Johnny Juzang has gotten a bit more carry recently and could get more if injuries continue to plague the Jazz.
“Johnny has worked really hard since he joined us last year,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “He’s a guy that probably hasn’t had enough opportunities based on roster, timing, health and a variety of things. But I can say without a doubt that Johnny has worked incredibly hard over the last year and a half and he has really improved.
Regarding his second two-way contract with the Jazz, it’s time to see if he really has potential as an NBA player, or if the Jazz should move on next season and give the two-way contract to someone other.
With Markkanen and Hendricks sidelined, the Jazz will continue to need help from the other big players on the roster – Luka Samanic, Ömer Yurtseven.
And finally, as the season comes to a close, we might get a chance to see Jason Preston – in a two-way deal with the Jazz. He put up insane numbers in his G League performances, including several triple-doubles.
Evaluating young talent and trying to find pieces that could be useful for the future, that’s the goal of this season, we might as well mix and match as many of these players as possible, so that there isn’t questions about them at the end of the season. .
