Ranking every Utah Jazz player by how impactful they can be this year

Mar 13, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) throws a pass as Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) defends during the second quarter at Miami-Dade Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) throws a pass as Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) defends during the second quarter at Miami-Dade Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn (11) reacts to a play against the Sacramento Kings in the second quarter at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn (11) reacts to a play against the Sacramento Kings in the second quarter at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Kris Dunn

Kris Dunn should be starting. It doesn’t make any sense that he’s not. We’ve talked before about why he isn’t, and it’s mostly to do with our belief that the Utah Jazz are trying to get someone to trade for Talen Horton-Tucker before it gets too late in the season. After all, the Jazz almost dealt him to the Houston Rockets this past week.

It’s the only reason that makes sense why someone like Dunn, who can change the game on defense, isn’t starting over Horton-Tucker, who isn’t very good on defense. The thing that further baffles us is that the one thing the starting rotation needs, a good passer, is exactly what Dunn is. If he’s nothing else, he’s the team’s best and most reliable passer.

Sure, there are concerns about his scoring, and if he’s going to be able to keep the clip he was at last season going this season. Those are all viable concerns that we don’t have the answer to. Yet, even if his shooting falls off to what it was in Chicago, he’s still a better fit for what this team needs on offense and defense. He’s worth the risk in that regard. He should get the start so that he can prove if last season was a fluke or not.