There is a lot more excitement about the Utah Jazz coming into this season compared to last. They have some more exciting youth and Lauri Markkanen appears primed for a return to form. However, with the moves they made this offseason, there is a big question mark surrounding one aspect of their roster: their backcourt.
Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley asked what he called "the biggest questions" for each NBA team. When he got around to the Jazz, he asked, "Will the Backcourt—and the Front Office—Allow the Frontcourt To Function?"
After Buckley called the Jazz's frontcourt of Markkanen, Walker Kessler, Ace Bailey, Kyle Filipowski, and Taylor Hendricks a "legitimately interesting group," he followed that up with, "could be if this unproven (and, in some cases, underwhelming) backcourt actually gets it the basketball. And if this front office doesn't just pull the plug upon the first signs of life knowing it has a top-eight-protected pick to...well, protect."
This is the caveat with the Jazz cleaning house, as it led to their two most proven backcourt players, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, being kicked off the roster. Now, it leaves Keyonte George, Isaiah Collier, and Walter Clayton Jr. as basically their only options in the backcourt.
To be fair, that will be part of the fun of seeing who amongst those three could stand out, the fact remains that none of them currently inspire too much confidence.
-George is coming off a lackluster season, though he had a pretty good preseason and clearly wants to be more of a leader.
-Collier proved himself as a playmaker, but he has a way to go as a shooter to become a legitimate threat.
-Clayton's a rookie who has left an impression in the locker room but is still unproven.
If any of these three make themselves stand out this season, and in turn, make Utah's frontcourt better, the Jazz's future will only continue to look brighter.
The Jazz may rely on unorthodox methods to assist their playmaking
Though it's pretty clear what these three *could be* for the Jazz down the line, it's not a guarantee that any of them will be take the leap the team hopes they will. if they don't, the Jazz can rely on perhaps, other methods for playmaking.
For example, Jusuf Nurkic looked awesome running plays from the high post. The Jazz may run actions through him if it proves to make the team better. Cody Williams has not proven much, but he could be an oversized point guard if he shows anything. Utah could shock the world and add someone like Ben Simmons.
Yeah, none of these sound particularly appealing. Utah is banking on one or more their three young guards to blossom this season. For all we know, all of them will, but for now, they will remain a major question mark.