Following how everything has transpired in their last two seasons, the Utah Jazz have to decide whether they should embrace the rebuild or become a legitimate playoff contender. Because one thing is for sure - things can't stay they way they've been.
A pressure-free environment where the Jazz have occasionally punched up for stretches has been fun to watch, but when no progress is made, it gets old fast. So, they must decide where to go from here. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto's June 15 mock draft may have revealed what direction the Jazz will take this offseason when he reported the following.
"There’s also a belief from rival executives who spoke with HoopsHype that guards Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson could become available on the trade market."
In Clarkson's case, it makes sense. He's 32 years old, his contract's almost up, and if a rebuild is on the horizon, he doesn't fit the timeline. Sexton is a different story. He's only 25 years old, and he's coming off an excellent season, further explained here by Chad Porto.
Sexton has proven how efficient he can be as a scorer and may very well have another level to his game. Yet it hasn't felt like he's been embraced by the Jazz as they've started this next chapter, but why haven't they?
1. The Jazz want to see what they have in Keyonte George
Even though he put up solid numbers, George is coming off an inefficient rookie season, shooting only 39.1% from the field. Of course, he deserves the benefit of the doubt. It was his first NBA season and did not enter the season expected to be the Jazz' next budding superstar. At least not yet.
George's role became more prominent as time went on. He was in and out of the starting lineup, but by season's end, George was getting a nod in the starter's role with plenty of fascination surrounding his potential as an NBA player. His rookie season was far from perfect, but neither were Deron Williams or Gordon Hayward's.
Sexton (and Clarkson, for that matter) could hinder George's development because they, too, need minutes since they technically are the veterans in the group. Cutting ties with Sexton could potentially unlock George's potential as a guard.
2. Sexton has never won over Will Hardy
Despite Sexton proving his scoring abilities even before the Jazz acquired him, he's never quite earned Hardy's trust. This is best evidenced by the fact that Sexton still isn't seeing the consistent minutes in Utah that he did in Cleveland.
Sexton's minute load once topped at 35.3 minutes a game with the Cavaliers, but in what may have been his most efficient season ever, Sexton averaged 26.6 minutes a game. Not only that, but in 126 games in Utah, Sexton has started in 66 of them. Barely over half the games he has played in.
Now, as for why Hardy doesn't seem to trust him much, that is anyone's guess. Sexton's production not turning into team success will make it difficult for him to shed the "Good stats, bad team" label until further notice. Perhaps he believes this is as good as it gets from Sexton in terms of how well he plays, and in turn, how the Jazz play with him.
Sexton may very well thrive with the right coach for him. That just doesn't appear to be Hardy.
3. The Jazz could get some real value out of him
Despite the Jazz' preference to develop George or Hardy not giving Sexton the keys to the Jazz's offense, there's plenty to like about what Sexton brings. There aren't that many guards who can score with the efficiency Sexton does who aren't already stars. His playmaking also took a leap as well, as he averaged 4.9 assists a game despite a smaller role in Utah,
Sexton has two years left on his deal worth under $38 million. Getting someone who can score at the rate Sexton does at a time in which the NBA's salary cap is expected to skyrocket could make for quite the bargain for any interested party. Teams who are looking for that kind of scoring at a discount may be willing to pay a good price for him.
Making an All-Star team doesn't appear to be in the cards for Sexton for the time being. Still, discounted shot-creating guards are hard to come by in today's NBA. Even if the Jazz may not want him, now may be a good time to capitalize on his trade value while they can.
All of these reasons may very well add up as to why Sexton could hit the market this summer. What it all may come down to is that, much like Clarkson, Sexton doesn't fit Utah's timeline even though he's only about to enter his prime.
By all metrics, Sexton has not disappointed all that much in Utah. It may simply come down to them thinking they have better options than him. On the flip side, he could prove his effectiveness as a player in a different environment.
If the Jazz can cash in big on him while they have the chance, it could be mutually beneficial for all parties