The Utah Jazz revamped their backcourt this offseason. Not just from ditching Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, but also by drafting Walter Clayton Jr. Not only did the Jazz take him, but they also traded up for him, signifying that he was high on their board. Three games into the season, Clayton is proving them right.
So much so that Bryce Simons straight-up gushed about the Jazz rookie on "The Game Theory Podcast w/Sam Vecenie," when talking about the rookies who have stood out thus far this season.
After Vecenie said that Clayton looked pretty solid in his opinion, Simon vented on how easy the transition to the NBA has been for the Florida alum.
"He just has translated everything he did in college and is now doing it on an NBA floor. That's kind of the best compliment I can give him... He just looks very under control, very patient, all of that. He looks like an NBA player.
"He's doing the little things. He came and grabbed a weakside defensive board the other day and he tried to take a charge maybe in one of the games. He's been good. He's been very good."
Clayton's numbers are pretty solid for backup point guard, but that's just it. He's already thriving as a backup. More than that, he's shown his confidence when Utah gives him a chance. He proved that in their overtime thriller victory over the Phoenix Suns.
The rookie, Walter Clayton Jr hitting a big shot to start out Overtime pic.twitter.com/BZWfMLqtIq
— Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) October 28, 2025
Clayton hasn't played well enough for the Jazz to make any changes to their starting lineup—at least not yet—but Utah has a young rotation guard on a rookie contract. Clayton may not be a star in the making, and we don't know for sure, but it's impressive to see an NBA player as young as he is look more than ready to start.
Is Clayton the No. 1 guard of the future in Utah?
Clayton may not be dominating the stat sheet, but because of how poised he has been, it feels inevitable. If and when his breakout arrives, that may make some wonder if he's the Jazz's best young guard.
It's funny to think that it's debatable, but it is. Keyonte George has looked better this year, and Isaiah Collier, coming off a record-setting rookie season, has yet to play. If Clayton progresses, this should make for quite the fascinating dynamic this season.
Utah has exceeded expectations all things considered, but there's no telling if they will continue playing this way. This season will be all about who is worth keeping around. Clayton has already proven he's not afraid of anything in his NBA career thus far. If that continues, or better yet, he improves from here, it'll be hard not to think he's in the lead among their guards in no time.