Of all the questions surrounding the Utah Jazz, both short-term and long-term, one that hasn’t been discussed much is: “Who will be in their starting five to start the season?”
Some choices are obvious, like Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George, but others, less so. There could be a lot of roster changes during the 2024-25 season.
For this reason, Dan Favale of Bleacher Report He proposed that the Jazz make some roster changes. While projecting Markkanen, George, Collin Sexton, John Collins and Taylor Hendricks as their starting five, he suggested they make the following change:
“Let’s go for a complete rebuild with Walker Kessler and/or Cody Williams.”
Favale explained in more detail why the best option for the Jazz is to look to their youth rather than play their veterans.
“The Jazz would be wise to give more time and space to the youngsters up front, and not just because it (likely) helps them avoid a hot start that would skew their draft lottery position.
“Utah has a lot of players entering their rookie and sophomore seasons, and Kessler is only in his third year. Playing with a bunch of them together may not produce the best product. But it will provide a lot of information.”
He added that even if their youngsters are not ready yet, the Jazz can always turn to their veterans if the youngsters are not ready yet.
“Plus, the Jazz can still have the best of both worlds. Markkanen and Sexton can stick around in the new iteration, Kessler isn’t exactly inexperienced, and George spent a lot of time in the starting lineups as a rookie. Starting those four with Hendricks or Williams (a true wing!) allows for a balance of future and present and a balance of offensive and defensive skill sets.”
Tony Jones of The Athletic confirmed that the Jazz will rely on their youth for opening night while explaining why they didn’t make a trade. Collins or Jordan Clarkson.
“What people don’t understand is the Jazz are really going to prioritize young players from Day 1,” Jones said. “And if they had a choice, they would have traded Jordan Clarkson. If they had a choice, they would have traded John Collins. I think we all know that’s not possible at this point, and we’ll most likely start the season with the roster.”
Jones confirmed that Kessler will start in Collins’ place. Collins may not be the only veteran coming off the bench. At the same time, those veterans may not spend the season in Utah.
In any case, the logic of Jazz is good if it wants to throw its youth to the wolves. This way, perhaps youth will not be wasted on young people.
