Luka Samanic should get minutes in the rotation if he has a strong preseason

Luka Samanic should get minutes in the Utah Jazz’s rotation assuming he continues his steady play.

The status of Luka Samanic with the Utah Jazz is one that’s going to be up in the air for most of if not the entire season. The former first-rounder out of Croatia is on a partially guaranteed contract and was originally drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2019. He failed to catch on with the squad and now has the task of proving he belongs in the NBA after failing in his first go-round with the Spurs.

After failing with the Spurs, he spent some time with the Boston Celtics, but never played an official game with them and would spend most of 2022-2023 in the G-League. There he showed marketed improvement and dropped 22 points per night while shooting 48% from the floor and an improved (but not great) 33% from three.

This marketed improvement would be the reason the Utah Jazz took an interest in him, bringing him in near the end of the 2022-2023 season. First on a 10-day contract, then signing him to a multi-year deal.

He rewarded that opportunity by closing out the 2023 season strong, averaging just under 10 points, just over four rebounds, and just over two assists per game in just 20+ minutes.

He’d continue his upward trend in the 2023-2024 Summer League outings, first in Salt Lake City and later with the official Summer League in Las Vegas. Across both leagues, and over the course of six total games, he would average 15 points, nearly seven rebounds, and two and a half assists per game. All while shooting just under 49% from the floor and just under 37% from three.

The more Samanic continues to improve with each new opportunity, the more and more likely he’ll earn a spot with the Utah Jazz. Right now he’s looking at a crowded front court, with Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, Kelly Olynyk, Walker Kessler, Brice Sensabaugah, and Taylor Hendricks all filling spots ahead of him.

But Sensabaugh may not be healthy to start the year, and Hendricks has got to earn his minutes. Add on the fact that Olynyk will likely be dealt and it’s not out of the realm of possibility to see Samanic being the third forward off the bench behind Markkanen and Collins.

If he has an impactful preseason and does well in the Utah Jazz’s training camp, it’d be hard to deny him a spot in the rotation. But like everyone else, he’s got to earn it.