3 young players that should be getting more minutes for the Utah Jazz

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 06: Collin Sexton #2 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on November 06, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 06: Collin Sexton #2 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on November 06, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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Apr 8, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Ochai Agbaji (30) dribbles the ball against Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) in the fourth quarter at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Ochai Agbaji (30) dribbles the ball against Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) in the fourth quarter at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Ochai Agbaji

The inconsistent use of Ochai Agbaji this season has been a bit maddening. In some games he’s a starter, in others, he was getting action only after the game was out of hand. He’s averaging just 16 minutes per game, despite the fact that out of every Utah Jazz player with two or more three-point attempts per game, he’s fourth in three-point percentage.

It seems odd to keep one of your best three-point shooters to limited minutes, while guys like Talen Horton-Tucker and Jordan Clarkson have impunity to take every bad shot their hearts desire, but here we are.

Agbaji is also sixth on the team in defensive box plus-minus. Granted, only Luka Samanic and Kelly Olynyk have a positive rating in that category, but Agbaji is still on the higher end of that list, with only a -1.9. Considering Clarkson and Collin Sexton are in the -4.0 area, it seems odd George is being limited in his play.

Now that he’s seemingly in the starting lineup going forward this may not be a big issue. Now, Will Hardy has shown to be a bit unpredictable with his lineups and rotations, but it seems obvious Agbaji is the way to go. But we’ll have to wait and see.