Utah Jazz: First depth chart of the offseason
After a crazy weekend for the Utah Jazz, it might be time for fans and analysts to sit back and take a look at who even is on the Jazz’s payroll. The team has a new head coach, lost their franchise player, and added several key role players.
You may have forgotten that Royce O’Neal is no longer on the Jazz and with only one Utah free agent still undecided, the roster and depth chart for Will Hardy is still up in the air. Hassan Whiteside is the only free agent who may return to Utah next season. Danuel House signed with the 76ers, and Juancho Hernangomez and Eric Paschall will not be re-signed by Utah, it was announced.
For simplicity’s sake, I will assume that Whiteside will sign elsewhere for my first depth chart of the offseason. Going into 2023, the Utah Jazz will probably look something like this:
Point Guard: Patrick Beverly, Mike Conely, Jared Butler
Shooting Guard: Donovan Mitchell, Jordan Clarkson, Malik Beasly, Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Small Forward: Bojan Bogdanovic, Leandro Bolmaro
Power Forward: Jarred Vanderbilt, Rudy Gay
Center: Udoka Azubike, Walker Kessler, Kofi Cockburn or Tacko Fall
Keep in mind that the Jazz have time to add players, which they will desperately need to do. Jarred Vanderbilt only became a starter last season, and he did not show out for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Udoka Azubike is by no means a starting center in the NBA, but he is technically the only center the Jazz have under contract. Depending on how the Summer League goes, Cockburn and Fall might arrive at the party.
The backcourt is in good hands. Between Mitchell, Clarkson, and Beasly, the Jazz might have the best shooting guard core in the league. I placed Mike Conely behind Patrick Beverly for purely defensive reasons. If they both remain on the roster, I expect them to split minutes.
The frontcourt is where work needs to be done. Between the power forward and center positions, Rudy Gay is the only player who has ever been a quality starter, and that was back in 2017.
Luckily, there is time to make some much-needed additions. The Jazz have the capital to make some moves, so if they want to compete, all they need to do is pick up the phone.