The Utah Jazz didn't even bother to waste any time making some major roster changes this summer. It started with waiving Johnny Juzang, then they traded Collin Sexton to the Charlotte Hornets, and their most recent move was buying out Jordan Clarkson. This, of course, puts a lot of pressure on Isaiah Collier, but he made it clear that he's up for the challenge.
During an interview with KSL Sports' Jake & Ben, Collier acknowledged how different the Jazz will be without those three, but knows the team can step up to make up for their absences.
“We’re going to miss Collin, JC, Johnny as well,” Collier said. “It’s going to be a huge step for all of us — the team as a whole, to be honest.”
He added that while progress may not come right away, the Jazz are taking the necessary preparation for next season.
“I don’t expect everything to just happen overnight,” Collier said, “but we’re all learning as well, and trying to lead at the same time. That’s why we’ve just been working so hard this summer, because it’s a huge season for us coming up.”
Collier proved himself as a steal for the Jazz. Even though he didn't make an All-Rookie team (still an outrage all this time later), Collier proved himself as perhaps the best young pure playmaker Utah has had since the Deron Williams days. Beating John Stockton's record for most assists by a Jazz rookie is proof of that.
While there's been plenty of concern about his jumper, which definitely shouldn't be ignored, Utah gradually showed more fheit trust in him as his rookie season went on. When they elevated him to starter, Utah's offense flowed much better having a natural playmaker in the lineup.
Collier hasn't been propped up as the Jazz's next franchise player, but he played well enough that it's easy to believe that he'll be part of the team's future.
The Jazz's moves confirm their faith in Isaiah Collier
Getting rid of Sexton and Clarkson wasn't just necessary but also inevitable. Once they drafted Walter Clayton Jr., it was clear that they were signaling that their two scoring guards' days were numbered. While Utah will definitely give their first-round pick his own role in their guard rotation, they clearly want to see what they have in Collier, too, without question.
He has proven that he's got some legitimate NBA-caliber skills in his passing. Now that there's more game film on him, teams will dare him to beat them as a shooter. That's exactly what Utah hopes its sophomore guard will overcome in Year 2.
The training wheels are definitely coming off, and there will be some expected growing pains for Collier and the rest of their young talent, for that matter. However, the first step towards progress is understanding the challenge ahead. Collier has made it clear that he gets that, and now it's on him to prepare accordingly as the Jazz look to the future.