Which Utah Jazz player will lead the team in steals in 2018-19?

The Utah Jazz logged the fourth most steals per game in the NBA this past season thanks to several crafty defenders. But which player will lead the pack in 2018-19?

Anybody that follows the Utah Jazz knows that the team hangs their hat on defense. Over the past few years under head coach Quin Snyder, the Jazz have developed into a relentless and tenacious squad that makes life miserable for opposing teams with a stifling defense.

While a lot of that has to do with Rudy Gobert‘s rim protecting prowess that often leads to mighty swats, shots being altered at the rim and teams settling for mid-range jumpers, he isn’t the only reason why the Jazz defense is so great. Utah also benefits from several perimeter defenders that are excellent at locking up their foes and playing passing lanes to create deflections and takeaways.

Sure, Rudy Gobert’s status as rim protector extraordinaire allows Utah’s perimeter defenders to play a little tighter than they otherwise could thanks to the knowledge that he’ll be there to back them up, but that doesn’t make them any less formidable.

As such, the Jazz were one of the top teams in the NBA at steals per game, as they logged 8.6 per contest, trailing only the Indiana Pacers (8.8), Milwaukee Bucks (8.8) and Oklahoma City Thunder (9.1). Just about everyone on the Utah roster contributed in this area, even big men Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors averaged nearly a steal per game (0.8 and 0.7, respectively).

But without a doubt, the team’s takeaway charge was led by a few elite wing defenders who put up excellent steal numbers. At the top last season stood Ricky Rubio with 1.6, Donovan Mitchell with 1.5 and Thabo Sefolosha with 1.4.

In other words, Ricky won the steals battle among his Jazz teammates last season, but with the Jazz set to be a juggernaut defensively once again this upcoming season and likely competing for one of the top spots in steals per game across the entire league, will Tricky Ricky remain atop that list? Or will some other Jazzman rob him of his thief’s crown?

In all honesty, Rubio is probably the most likely candidate. After all, he’s put up over two steals per game in multiple seasons past. Especially now that he’s comfortable in the Jazz system, he could very well be the top takeaway ace for Utah.

Then again, Thabo Sefolosha has been a pretty renowned steal guy in the past that if given the opportunity could excel in the passing lanes for Utah. Jae Crowder and Joe Ingles are both good at taking the ball from opponents, and even Derrick Favors is solid for a big man. Back in 2015-16, he averaged over a steal per game.

Of course, we shouldn’t forget about Dante Exum, who though his steal numbers haven’t been that impressive thus far, is overdue for a breakout season. He has the length, quickness, athleticism and defensive prowess to turn into an excellent thief, especially with a projected higher opportunity this season.

There’s also Grayson Allen. As a tenacious defender, he averaged 1.7 steals per game in his senior season at Duke. And Royce O’Neale didn’t break the steal per game mark last year, but he’s an avid defender who should receive an expanded opportunity next season.

But the player who I think has the best chance of surpassing Rubio is none other than do-it-all man Donovan Mitchell himself. He was ever so close to beating the veteran point guard out this past season, and I truly believe we’ll see Mitchell up his game in all aspects from scoring, to defense, to this specific topic, takeaways.

The Jazz have a staunch defense on so many fronts, and they most definitely aren’t slouches on the perimeter. There’s a reason why they averaged the fourth most steals in the league last season. I believe we’ll see that trend continue, and perhaps even improve in 2018-19, and that when all is said and done, Donovan Mitchell will take the steal crown away from the reigning leader Ricky Rubio.

Then again, the Spanish Samurai or some other surprise teammate may have something to say about that. Regardless of who ends up with the most steals, you can bet that the Jazz will roll out a bullish defense that’s going to be a thrill to watch once the season gets underway in a mere month and a half.