When the Utah opted to keep Svi Mykhailiuk over Johnny Juzang this offseason, many were shocked since the latter not only had a better season than the former, but was also counted on more by the Jazz. However, two games into the season, it's clear why the Jazz kept Mykhailiuk: he's a placeholder in the starting lineup until one of the Jazz youngsters makes it clear they are the better option.
As of this moment, the Jazz know what they are going to get out of Svi Mykhailiuk: a floor-spacer with size who handle his own when he's out there. When he's on his game, Mykhailiuk can hold his own, though his ceiling caps out as a rotation player. Utah has players who project to be better than him, so it's a matter of when, not if, they prove they are better with the starters than he is.
Mykhailiuk actually did a pretty solid job with what the Jazz have asked of him in their dominant win over the Clippers and their hard-fought loss over the Kings. By having him start, their sending a message to their young talent that if they want a spot in the starting lineup, they will have to earn it.
In the NBA, nothing is guaranteed no matter what kind of potential or talent a player has. The Jazz have young players who likely will be or already are better than Mykhailiuk is. They are playing him for the time being not because he is necessarily better, but because he fits with the starters better than they do. At least, that's how Will Hardy feels about it.
If he didn't, someone else
Who are the candidates to take Mykhailiuk's spot?
Two games into the season, there are three candidates who could usurp Mykhailiuk in the starting lineup: Ace Bailey, Brice Sensabaigh, and Walter Clayton Jr.
Bailey hasn't exactly lit the world on fire since starting his NBA career, but it's been pretty clear his problem has been his sickness. Once he gets back to himself, Jazz fans will hopefully get to see what he truly looks like against legitimate NBA competition.
Sensabaugh has only further proven that he truly is an NBA player. He hasn't skipped a beat since last season and has only continued to build the hype about what he could be long-term. Maybe Utah thinks he's better off the bench for the time being, but there continues to be more and more evidence suggesting he's certainly an NBA starter.
Clayton has looked incredibly poised for a rookie. He's made it clear that Utah was smart to trade up for him in the draft. The Jazz may simply want his career to start small, but the returns on him have been excellent. He looks like the Jazz's most NBA-ready rookie since Donovan Mitchell.
Don't be surprised if one of these three takes Mykhailiuk's spot soon enough. In fact, don't be surprised if all three are in the starting lineup sometime this season.