The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz facing a make or break off-season

By John Keeffer

Oct 5, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) and forward Gordon Hayward (20) talk mid court during the first half of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Phoenix Suns 104-99. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) and forward Gordon Hayward (20) talk mid court during the first half of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Phoenix Suns 104-99. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 30, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton (2) defends Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) as he drives to the basket in the second period of game seven of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton (2) defends Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) as he drives to the basket in the second period of game seven of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Priority 2: Shore up the Point Guard Rotation

Since the departure of Deron Williams in 2011, the Jazz have gone through quite the list of point guards. They include Devin Harris, Earl Watson, Jamaal Tinsley, Mo Williams, Trey Burke, Diante Garrett, John Lucas III, Toure’ Murray (who?), Dante Exum, Shelvin Mack, Raul Neto and George Hill.

Heading into this season it looked like they had finally gotten the rotation set, but injuries to George Hill as well as Dante Exum needing more time to recover from his ACL injury made it a struggle.

Going into next season, the Jazz will need to finally achieve some consistency with their point guard rotation.

If he can remain healthy, George Hill is a solid NBA point guard, and a perfect fit for an equal opportunity offense like the Jazz run. He is a free agent, however, and depending on the offers he gets during the off-season, the Jazz may deem him too expensive to bring back.

Dante Exum does not appear ready just yet to take over the reins full-time, so a one year rental may be the best option if Hill leaves. I would look for the Jazz to target Deron Williams, Darren Collison or Patty Mills. Each of them are strong spot up shooters and shouldn’t have much of an issue fitting into the Jazz offense.

David Locke, the radio voice of the Utah Jazz, has also brought up the potential for the Jazz to trade for Eric Bledsoe, Ricky Rubio or Goran Dragic, prior to the first day of free agency (July 1).

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