The Utah Jazz have a very young roster, and it's anyone's guess whether the next Jazz legend is already on the roster or not. Young players need playing time, mentoring and help in developing into the next generation of NBA stars.
The Utah Jazz have a long history as a franchise, with all-stars, Hall of Fame inductees, and players who set historical marks during their time in the NBA. Not to mention others who are already passing their knowledge to the next generation.
This got us thinking - who in the storied history of the Jazz franchise would be best to mentor the young guys on this roster?
To figure that out, we need to identify the young guys who would benefit the most from mentoring, what they need to improve, and who would be their best mentor among Jazz greats.
#4 - Taylor Hendricks - Mentor: Andrei Kirilenko
Hendricks is entering a crucial third NBA season, after missing nearly the whole year in 2024-25 due to injury. Tapping his defensive potential would ensure that he has a role in the rotation and develops into a player who can defend twos through fives and really cause headaches for opponents.
Who better to get the most out of his defensive prowess than a HOF nominee like Andrei Kirilenko?
Andrei would definitely work with Hendricks on the defensive end - timing on shot-blocking, steals, and positioning as he guards players. The benefits would be immediate.
He would also help Taylor out on the other side of the ball. Andrei was a slasher who found his way to the right spots at the right times, and was able to get sneaky dunks, putbacks, and layups by playing off the ball, and he even hit the threes as needed.
Getting Taylor Hendricks to stuff the stat sheet on both sides of the court, like AK-47 did would be a huge win for the Jazz.
#3 - Brice Sensabaugh - Mentor: Jeff Hornacek
Brice is also entering a crucial third year with the Utah Jazz, and looked much improved near the end of the 2024-25 season. The offseason moves that sent Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and John Collins elsewhere have opened up minutes and a role for Brice.
Bringing Jeff Hornacek, one of the greatest shooters in Jazz history, in to provide a blueprint would add to Brice's game - Jeff found success playing off of a variety of teammates, in Utah and Phoenix, and was rarely the first option. Yet he was a stellar player who made teams pay when they left him open from deep.
And he was a notorious gym rat and cerebral player who found openings and weaknesses in his opponents, things any player should emulate.
Brice needs to be efficient and take the help away from Lauri Markkanen by providing spacing for his teammates. He shot a stellar 42% from three last year, which could really open up the floor for everyone if he can become that kind of weapon that the Jazz can count on, just like they did with Jeff in advancing to multiple NBA Finals in the 1990s.
#2 - Isaiah Collier - Mentor: Deron Williams
Isaiah Collier had a historic rookie year. He already has a knack for passing first, even second, then shooting last. This has earned him a starting nod over Keyonte George at the point.
The weaknesses in Isaiah's game are evident - shooting, especially from three point range, where he was abysmal a year ago. This is where Jazz legend Deron Williams would come in handy as a mentor.
Deron was a 46% shooter from two and 35% from three during his Jazz years. And he had the crafty moves and ability to post smaller guards to set himself up or others. He was a scorer first, but a willing passer, and meshed the two to become an All-Star and an Olympian.
Isaiah could take a nice second-year leap with Deron's tutelage, improving his shooting up to the mid-40s and becoming a threat that opens up the passing lanes for his teammates.
#1 - Walker Kessler - Mentor: Karl Malone
Walker had a nice bounce-back season last year and became a much better rebounder while continuing to harass opponents with his shot-blocking. What he needs are things that one Jazz legend can provide: toughness, drive, and the willingness to expand his game outside the paint.
The Mailman followed a similar path early in his career. Going from a bruising, low-post player as a rookie with no mid-range game and horrible free-throw shooting, Malone became one of the greatest players in NBA history and had an unparalleled work ethic.
Malone expanded his game each year, with better post moves, mid-range shooting, and going from a sub-50% free-throw shooter as a rookie to 74% for his career on heavy volume (8.9 attempts per game). And he became a much better passer as well, averaging nearly four assists a night at his peak.
Walker Kessler could benefit in all of those areas, going from just a good center to a great one, with toughness and better passing, some mid-range shooting, and improving his free-throw shooting as well as his low-post moves.
Let's hope that the Jazz can get the most out of their young guys and pair them up with mentors who can guide them to success now and in the future. Otherwise, this could be a very long season.