The J-Notes
Fansided

A way-too-early prediction of the Utah Jazz’s 2023-24 starting lineup

By Jared Koch

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 18: Collin Sexton #2, Walker Kessler #24, and Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz react during the 2023 NBA All Star KIA Skills Challenge at Vivint Arena on February 18, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 18: Collin Sexton #2, Walker Kessler #24, and Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz react during the 2023 NBA All Star KIA Skills Challenge at Vivint Arena on February 18, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – APRIL 06: Kelly Olynyk #41 of the Utah Jazz in action during the first half of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Arena on April 06, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – APRIL 06: Kelly Olynyk #41 of the Utah Jazz in action during the first half of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Arena on April 06, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

Power Forward: Kelly Olynyk

Kelly Olynyk last season proved that he isn’t all that bad. Olynyk came into the 2021-22 season fresh from a season in Detroit where he only started one game and posted career-low numbers in efficiency. Then this season, Kelly Olynyk had an extremely quiet, yet impressive year in his role.

Olynyk ended up starting 68 games for the Jazz, where he posted 12.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Where he shined though was in his efficiency with 50/39/85 splits across the board, a vast improvement from his previous season.

Contractually, Kelly is currently in the last year of the three-year, $37 million contract he signed back in 2021 with the Pistons. However, with the last year of his contract partially guaranteed, we could see possibly even see the Jazz opt to bring him back for another season at a discounted rate. If the last month of the season proved anything, he deserves to be back in SLC.

While Kelly may not be the flashiest player in the league, he’s more than capable of being a starter for the Jazz next season. He can continue his role as a stretch four in the frontcourt, knocking down shots at a high rate and getting rebounds. Standing next to Markkanen (7’0) and the next player on this list (7’1), it’ll help to continue to give the Jazz the size advantage they tended to have on teams all last season.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 13: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz looks on against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at Miami-Dade Arena on March 13, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 13: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz looks on against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at Miami-Dade Arena on March 13, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) /

Center: Walker Kessler

Yet another Jazz player mentioned in some award talks for this past season, we should be seeing Kessler back in Utah as the starting center next season. And after coming off of a season as a Rookie of the Year finalist, Kessler looks to be on pace to be the new starter in the middle for years to come now.

After trading away Rudy Gobert last offseason, Kessler had big shoes to fill in terms of being the defensive anchor of the Jazz. Considering Rudy’s three DPOY award wins while with the team, these were reasonably high expectations to try and match. Even with these high expectations, Kessler delivered in 2022-23.

In 74 games, Kessler averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks as a rookie. The kid is a defensive monster in the making.

The best part is that Kessler won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Unless the Jazz decide to suddenly blow up the existing young core, Kessler is on contract with the Jazz for at minimum the upcoming three seasons. If you liked what you saw from the rook this season, there’s more to come.

Kessler will enter next season looking to make another stride in his second season, and if this season showed anything of what’s to come, the rest of the NBA better look out.

5 Players the Utah Jazz gave up on a bit too soon. dark. Next