Utah Jazz preseason is complete, what did we learn about the team, if anything?

Preseason is over for the Utah Jazz, did it tell us much about them?

Now that the Utah Jazz have completed their preseason slate, they return to preparations for the regular season, which kicks off at home against the Sacramento Kings on October 25, 2023.

Going into the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Clippers, a real question was who the starting five would be. And more specifically, who would start at the point guard position? Would a player emerge and ‘take’ the job?

Sadly, the answer was no. Collin Sexton, Kris Dunn, and Keyonte George didn’t do enough to take the job outright, though Dunn was the most consistent of the trio. Talen-Horton Tucker, on the other hand, showed enough passing skill and defense to take the job, for the time being. Collin Sexton will likely be the first guard off the bench most nights.

For the two-guard, it will most likely be Jordan Clarkson starting on opening night. Ochai Agbaji played well at times, and should get minutes in reserve and in 3 guard lineups.

For the forwards, it was always going to be Lauri Markkanen and John Collins as the starters, barring an injury. We did learn that Collins has some work to do getting in sync with his new teammates. That will come with reps, for sure. Kelly Olynyk will get his share of minutes at both spots.

However there will be stretches of games, and possible lineup changes on nights that the Utah Jazz play NBA teams which employ 3 guard lineups. In those cases it is likely that Talen Horton-Tucker or Ochai Agbaji will step in at the 3, moving Lauri to the 4 or 5, and Collins can play both of those spots as well.

At center, Walker Kessler is the starter, regardless of his struggles this preseason. He should rise to that challenge and the chip on his shoulder from his time with Team USA.

As with the forwards, there may be nights that Kessler gets less minutes if an opposing team goes small, and Olynyk/Markkanen/Collins end up seeing more time here.

What else did we learn about the Utah Jazz this preseason?

The bench has a lot of guys that have flaws. And specific skills.

The rookies might need to start their careers in the G-League. All 3 of them.

Omer Yurtseven is ready to have 12-15 minutes a night.

Kelly Olynyk and Kris Dunn will get bigger salaries on their next deals.

Luka Samanic needs reps.

The Jazz should hope they avoid the LA Clippers in any playoff or play-in matchup.

And finally…Josh Christopher is the most popular guy on the team (because we know nothing about him yet!)