6 biggest questions for the Utah Jazz heading to training camp

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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) /

What does the big man rotation look like?

The big situation is interesting. The team made some room by parting ways with Jarred Vanderbilt, Damian Jones, and Udoka Azubuike over the last six months but even before the new additions came, they still had a log jam. Before the newbies showed up, the Jazz still had Lauri Markkanen, Kelly Olynyk, Walker Kessler, Luka Samanic, and Micah Potter.

Then the team then added John Collins via a trade, signed Omer Yurtseven, and drafted Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensabaugh. If you’re counting, that’s nine players who can play either power forward or center.

Now, luckily for everyone, Markkanen is going to continue to start at small forward until the team finds a small forward better than anyone at power forward. Then you’ll likely see Markkanen switch to the four. Also, Sensabaugh is listed as a small forward right now, and while he’ll likely play both positions, that’s at least one less body to worry about.

That still leaves Olynyk, Kessler, Samanic, Potter, Collins, Yurtseven, and Hendricks to fight for three, maybe four slots in the rotation. And if we’re being even more honest, there’s really just one spot up for grabs; as Kessler and Collins are your starters at center and power forward, while Olynyk will be the first big off the bench.

That leaves just Yurtseven, Samanic, and Hendricks to fight for the last spot. While Potter has a shot, he’s also on a two-way contract and will likely spend a good chunk of time in the G-League.

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