3 young players the Utah Jazz have to develop and 3 players they may need to give up on

Talen Horton-Tucker, Utah Jazz (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Talen Horton-Tucker, Utah Jazz (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JULY 6: Luka Samanic #19 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up the court against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of the NBA Summer League game at the Delta Center on July 6, 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 Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JULY 6: Luka Samanic #19 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up the court against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of the NBA Summer League game at the Delta Center on July 6, 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 Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /

3 young players that still have time to develop

Luka Samanic

If you saw the Jaz play in the Summer League, you know that Luka Samanic has that “thing” that makes a player special. He’s versatile, consistent and he’s far more aggressive than he’s been given credit for. He’s the type of player who could easily earn a spot in the rotation this season. His biggest issue to overcome is the minutes that Lauri Markkanen and John Collins are going to get.

Johnny Juzang

The shooting of Johnny Juzang deserves some serious attention. He was lights out in Summer League and while it’s unfair to assume he’d transfer that game to the NBA level, it’s still worth noting that guys do develop after they enter the league. Someone like Juzang could be a rotational piece for the Jazz this year, or even a spot starter if given a shot.

Kris Dunn

Kris Dunn is not the perfect player and he lacks a lot of things that NBA teams want, but what he does well is what the Jazz need. He’s someone who can come in, play defense and most importantly facilitate the offense. The Jazz do not have a true point guard, outside of Dunn, and while he lacks the ability to drop 40, mostly from three, he still has the ability to draw defenders to him to kick out a pass, as well as use the pick and roll game to his benefit. Plus his defense is second to none of any of the Jazz’s current guards.