3 Jazz training camp battles to keep an eye on
By Matt John
Training camp is right around the corner for the Utah Jazz. Among the lingering questions concerning the Jazz will be who will start, who will come off the bench, and who may need some time before they get some NBA minutes.
The Jazz have plenty of young players whose best days are very much ahead of them. Because there will likely be some growing pains, they also have a couple of veterans who can take some rotation minutes while the youngsters develop.
With training camp (and preseason) on the horizon, multiple battles will likely ensue to determine how minutes will be divided.
1. Walker Kessler vs. John Collins
It's funny how Kessler and Collins are in the same boat in a way. Both are coming off rather disappointing campaigns, and there's a scenario where both could bounce back if they can find their groove again. Though the general feeling on them is quite different.
One of the ways in which either could do that is if they win the starting center position with the Jazz. Collins is the veteran who has shown he can be a valuable contributor on a winning team while Kessler was once considered one of the brightest young center in the NBA before his sophomore slump.
Since the Jazz are emphasizing their youth development, don't be surprised if Kessler gets the nod. Still, Collins may be motivated to prove he's not an albatross contract at all costs, which could also simultaneously set the bar for how well Kessler has to play to keep his starting spot.
The Jazz may also have to decide what is more important to them: advancing Kessler's development at all costs or getting rid of Collins the first chance they can get if he can improve his cratered trade value.
One possibility is starting Collins and Kessler beside Lauri Markkanen, but let's just that that trio has not gotten the Jazz good results. They appeared together in 27 games last season, and their net rating as a trio was minus-18.2, per NBA.com.
They could try that again, but even though the Jazz may aim for a high lottery pick, they may prefer to see what lineups work long-term and rolling out one that doesn't makes no sense.