The Utah Jazz are said to have a philosophical problem guarding the perimeter

Does the Utah Jazz have an issue with their perimeter defense?

The Utah Jazz may want to consider some moves sooner rather than later, especially if their perimeter defense is as bad as some may think. Speaking to Bill Riley on his show for ESPN Radio 92.1 in Salt Lake, Gordie Chiesa spoke about the Utah Jazz and their issues on their perimeter.

He referred to them as having a “philosophical problem” when it came to their perimeter defense. That’s a cute way of saying they can’t guard other guards. The conversation centered around who would star for the Utah Jazz at point guard, and the emphasis was that whoever started would end up being someone with a major issue to overcome.

The notion, however, was centered around Kris Dunn starting to help alleviate the issues on defense. After all, it’s not like Jordan Clarkson (the proposed starting two-guard) is known for his defense. They need defense and someone like Dunn may be the perfect guy to deliver just that.

That said, the Jazz may need to make some moves to bolster their perimeter defense. Grayson Allen had been tossed around on this very site as a possible idea, but that option sank when he got traded to the Phoenix Suns as part of the Damian Lillard deal. Allen is expected to be a viable role player for the squad and not someone they’re going to be quick to give up.

Another name that could be brought in is Jrue Holliday, currently with the Portland Trail Blazers, having been moved in the same Lillard deal. There are a lot of teams that want him, and the Utah Jazz may end up being one of them.

Unlike other teams pursuing Holiday, however, the Jazz have the draft capital and expiring contracts that a team like Portland may want.

The hope is that, whether it’s Dunn and someone like Ochai Agbaji, or if there’s a major move to be had, the Utah Jazz are able to fortify their perimeter defense. If they can do that, then the Utah Jazz will be far more likely to compete for a playoff spot, and it’ll also help make Walker Kessler look even better than he already does.

Think about that for a moment, Kessler did all that damage as a defender last year without much of a perimeter defense around him, aside from Dunn. Landing someone to help the Jazz’s defense is just smart at this point in the season.