Early Recommendations for the Jazz Starting Lineup

[Crunch 99]

My preferred lineup very likely won't happen, because we don't have a long term investment in Dunn, and the coaches didn't want to start him last season, but nonetheless, I would like to see a starting lineup of:

Kessler, Collins, Markkanen, Clarkson and Dunn.

I think the above lineup can score enough points to win, while Dunn can bring some defense to the backcourt.

All bets are off if Dunn goes back to bricking threes and nobody bothers to guard him at the three point line. Marc Gasol didn't really become a serious three point threat until he was 32 years old, so maybe Dunn is not defined by his low career 3p% forever.

I am excited about George's potential to start in the future, but he probably needs more development time. Sexton and/or THT could come on real strong in camp too; we will see what happens.

[Inigo Montoya]

The issue I have with the Jazz is that there are not a lot of shot creators in the starting lineup because Kessler, Collins and even Markkanen to an extent aren't really playmakers and shot creators and are more finishers than anything else. This is why Olynyk, with all his flaws, is important.

Ideally, Clarkson will be a 6th man but again, shot creation would be an issue, so I'm forced to go with:

Sexton
Clarkson
Markkanen
Collins
Kessler

[Jammer]

Starter - Backup - Reserve

This is my opinion based on talent, not politics.

C: Walker Kessler - Kelly Olynyk - Micah Potter (2-Way)

PF: John Collins - Taylor Hendricks - Luka Samanic - Joey Hauser (2-Way)

SF: Lauri Markkanen - Brice Sensabaugh - Simone Fontecchio

SG: Jordan Clarkson - Keyonte George - Ochai Agbaji - Talen Horton-Tucker

PG: Keyonte George - Kris Dunn - Collin Sexton (Obviously he's gonna start but he shouldn't)

Possible Trade:

If Heat send Duncan Robinson + 2028 Unprotected 1rst +2030 Unprotected 1rst to Portland for Damian Lillard
Utah could send Portland Collin Sexton + Talen-Horton Tucker + Minnesota 2025 1rst + Utah 2027 1rst for Tyler Herro

That gets Portland Four 1rst Round Picks (Miami 2028, Miami 2030, Minnesota 2025, Utah 2027)

[Inigo Montoya]

Utah could send Portland Collin Sexton + Talen-Horton Tucker + Minnesota 2025 1rst + Utah 2027 1rst for Tyler Herro

That feels like a big overpayment for Herro. Don't think we even need him with Clarkson and Agbaji at his position.

[AingesBurner]

Starter - Backup - Reserve

This is my opinion based on talent, not politics.

C: Walker Kessler - Kelly Olynyk - Micah Potter (2-Way)

PF: John Collins - Taylor Hendricks - Luka Samanic - Joey Hauser (2-Way)

SF: Lauri Markkanen - Brice Sensabaugh - Simone Fontecchio

SG: Jordan Clarkson - Keyonte George - Ochai Agbaji - Talen Horton-Tucker

PG: Keyonte George - Kris Dunn - Collin Sexton (Obviously he's gonna start but he shouldn't)

Possible Trade:

If Heat send Duncan Robinson + 2028 Unprotected 1rst +2030 Unprotected 1rst to Portland for Damian Lillard
Utah could send Portland Collin Sexton + Talen-Horton Tucker + Minnesota 2025 1rst + Utah 2027 1rst for Tyler Herro

That gets Portland Four 1rst Round Picks (Miami 2028, Miami 2030, Minnesota 2025, Utah 2027)

That would end my Utah fandom.

[AingesBurner]

Keyonte could very well be the starting PG if his SL play translate to RS.

[ForeverRDjazz]

Walker
Rookie Taylor.
Lauri.
Ochai,
Sexton.
Our bench is going to rock.
Kelly
Collins
Brice Fontecchio.
Jordan Horton
Keyonte. Dunn

[dr0welf]

Starter - Backup - Reserve

This is my opinion based on talent, not politics.

C: Walker Kessler - Kelly Olynyk - Micah Potter (2-Way)

PF: John Collins - Taylor Hendricks - Luka Samanic - Joey Hauser (2-Way)

SF: Lauri Markkanen - Brice Sensabaugh - Simone Fontecchio

SG: Jordan Clarkson - Keyonte George - Ochai Agbaji - Talen Horton-Tucker

PG: Keyonte George - Kris Dunn - Collin Sexton (Obviously he's gonna start but he shouldn't)

Possible Trade:

If Heat send Duncan Robinson + 2028 Unprotected 1rst +2030 Unprotected 1rst to Portland for Damian Lillard
Utah could send Portland Collin Sexton + Talen-Horton Tucker + Minnesota 2025 1rst + Utah 2027 1rst for Tyler Herro

That gets Portland Four 1rst Round Picks (Miami 2028, Miami 2030, Minnesota 2025, Utah 2027)

I think 1 frp is going to be the max for Herro. We have no desire to overpay so Miami can get Lillard

[Catchall]

I'd rather give minutes to Keyonte than trade for Tyler Herro. Personally, I think Keyonte is going to be the better player and it's going to be apparent while Keyonte is still on his rookie deal. Keyonte looks to be a more natural lead guard, and I think he's going to be a better shooter off the bounce.

Also, the Jazz like positional size, length and athleticism, which leads me to believe the Jazz would be just as happy to play Ochai Agbaji at the 2, rather than play Herro there.

[Sparky6string]

Starter - Backup - Reserve

This is my opinion based on talent, not politics.

C: Walker Kessler - Kelly Olynyk - Micah Potter (2-Way)

PF: John Collins - Taylor Hendricks - Luka Samanic - Joey Hauser (2-Way)

SF: Lauri Markkanen - Brice Sensabaugh - Simone Fontecchio

SG: Jordan Clarkson - Keyonte George - Ochai Agbaji - Talen Horton-Tucker

PG: Keyonte George - Kris Dunn - Collin Sexton (Obviously he's gonna start but he shouldn't)

Possible Trade:

If Heat send Duncan Robinson + 2028 Unprotected 1rst +2030 Unprotected 1rst to Portland for Damian Lillard
Utah could send Portland Collin Sexton + Talen-Horton Tucker + Minnesota 2025 1rst + Utah 2027 1rst for Tyler Herro

That gets Portland Four 1rst Round Picks (Miami 2028, Miami 2030, Minnesota 2025, Utah 2027)

That would end my Utah fandom.

Really?

[AingesBurner]

Starter - Backup - Reserve

This is my opinion based on talent, not politics.

C: Walker Kessler - Kelly Olynyk - Micah Potter (2-Way)

PF: John Collins - Taylor Hendricks - Luka Samanic - Joey Hauser (2-Way)

SF: Lauri Markkanen - Brice Sensabaugh - Simone Fontecchio

SG: Jordan Clarkson - Keyonte George - Ochai Agbaji - Talen Horton-Tucker

PG: Keyonte George - Kris Dunn - Collin Sexton (Obviously he's gonna start but he shouldn't)

Possible Trade:

If Heat send Duncan Robinson + 2028 Unprotected 1rst +2030 Unprotected 1rst to Portland for Damian Lillard
Utah could send Portland Collin Sexton + Talen-Horton Tucker + Minnesota 2025 1rst + Utah 2027 1rst for Tyler Herro

That gets Portland Four 1rst Round Picks (Miami 2028, Miami 2030, Minnesota 2025, Utah 2027)

That would end my Utah fandom.

Really?

Yes, garbage trade.

[SoCalJazzFan]

I think at least one of the guards has to put up some resistance on D. So, i think Sexton and Agbaji start and Dunn plays with Clarkson as backups. THT might also play with them as a 3 guard lineup. The rookies won’t start the season and might not start at all this year.

[Crunch 99]

I think at least one of the guards has to put up some resistance on D. So, i think Sexton and Agbaji start and Dunn plays with Clarkson as backups. THT might also play with them as a 3 guard lineup. The rookies won’t start the season and might not start at all this year.

I hadn't thought about Sexton and Agbaji starting in the backcourt. I assumed Clarkson earned the starting role last season and wouldn't be going back to the sixth man role. I am open to Sexton and Agbaji starting. Both combos bring some defense and offense to the backcourt. Imo, we would probably get more assists out of the Dunn/Clarkson combo; maybe get better D out of the Sexton/Ochai combo.

[Crunch 99]

I was a bit disappointed that Ochai didn't show better in Las Vegas --- only 41.9/31.6% shooting, but it's just a tiny two game sample. Numerous reports said Ochai arrived for Summer League in tremendous physical condition. Ochai works hard and will likely continue to get better.

[Jazzy13]

I was a bit disappointed that Ochai didn't show better in Las Vegas --- only 41.9/31.6% shooting, but it's just a tiny two game sample. Numerous reports said Ochai arrived for Summer League in tremendous physical condition. Ochai works hard and will likely continue to get better.

Ochai is very athletic but I just dont think he's very skilled.
I hope Im wrong but I dont see him as a starter for this team.

[Inigo Montoya]

I was a bit disappointed that Ochai didn't show better in Las Vegas --- only 41.9/31.6% shooting, but it's just a tiny two game sample. Numerous reports said Ochai arrived for Summer League in tremendous physical condition. Ochai works hard and will likely continue to get better.

Ochai is very athletic but I just dont think he's very skilled.
I hope Im wrong but I dont see him as a starter for this team.

He doesn't need to do much other that play good defense and hit open threes. I don't think anyone expects him to be a lead guard or a self-creator. Basically, his development arc is that of a 3 and D player, and those players can be very valuable. But that means he'll need to be paired with either a dynamic PG or SF, preferably both.

[Rauxcee]

My expectations for Ochai is to be a servicable 3 & D. A better Royce O'Neal if we are lucky, but a role player off the bench is what his ceiling is IMO.

[ForeverRDjazz]

I think at least one of the guards has to put up some resistance on D. So, i think Sexton and Agbaji start and Dunn plays with Clarkson as backups. THT might also play with them as a 3 guard lineup. The rookies won’t start the season and might not start at all this year.

I hadn't thought about Sexton and Agbaji starting in the backcourt. I assumed Clarkson earned the starting role last season and wouldn't be going back to the sixth man role. I am open to Sexton and Agbaji starting. Both combos bring some defense and offense to the backcourt. Imo, we would probably get more assists out of the Dunn/Clarkson combo; maybe get better D out of the Sexton/Ochai combo.

I see the jazz running more point Forward with Markk and Sex Ochai playing off the ball where they're at there best. Kind of like Nuggets.

[mark53]

I think you have to try Sexton to begin. I don't know why give the four years of not.

So
Sexton
Ochai
Mark
Collins
Kessler

[Jazzy13]

Its almost certain we're starting

Sexton
JC
Markk
Collins
Kess