Jazz Notes: Roster, Trade Market, Hendricks, Juzang

The Jazz are one of the only teams in the league with 15 players signed to standard contracts and three players signed to two-way contracts, reaching the regular season roster limit. Regardless, don’t count Utah out from making additional moves before the season begins, writes The Salt Lake Tribune’s Andy Larsen. Larsen argues that while the roster is full, the balance of the team isn’t even.

According to Larsen, Utah’s most solid position groups are at the forward and center positions. With Lauri Markkanen in place at either forward position and Walker Kessler anchoring down the paint, there are few questions about Utah’s frontcourt.

However, the guard spots are more in question, in Larsen’s view. Kris Dunn, Collin Sexton, Talen Horton-Tucker and Ochai Agbaji all had bright moments last season, but would need to make major leaps to be full-time starters, while Jordan Clarkson is a proven commodity at this point, Larsen writes. Beyond that, the Jazz would be relying on rookie Keyonte George to step in right away and make an impact, which is a tall ask for an organization angling for a playoff spot.

That’s why Larsen believes the Jazz are going to be active in the trade market in the coming weeks and months. Miami guard Tyler Herro could be an option if the Heat trade for Damian Lillard and the Jazz help facilitate such a deal. Larsen also points to Zach LaVine, OG Anunoby and Isaiah Joe as potentially available options (of varying viability) to help lock down the shooting guard position. Larsen adds that available point guards are scarce, citing D’Angelo Russell (ineligible to be dealt until Dec. 15) and Kevin Porter Jr. as possible trade candidates.

Even though Larsen expects Utah to be active on the phones going forward, the best option may be for the Jazz to develop their young pieces and stay patient for a potential future available All-Star level player. According to Larsen, “the dream” for Utah is that Dallas star Luka Doncic eventually becomes available.

There’s more from the Jazz:

• While George soaked up the spotlight on the Jazz’s summer league team, Utah’s No. 9 overall pick, Taylor Hendricks, sat out of summer league with a hamstring injury. Though Markkanen, John Collins and Kelly Olynyk project to take minutes at power forward, Hendricks is expected to see some time at the position and make an impact as a rookie. In the first of what will be a series of Q&A interviews with The Salt Lake Tribune’s Eric Walden (subscriber link), Hendricks discussed his injury, teammates and transition to the league. While Hendricks is making progress in his transition from college to the NBA, he says there are still some adjustments he’s getting used to. “I would say how the defenses are structured,” Hendricks said. “Because in college, there’s no defensive three-second rule, and then also, the spacing’s not as wide as [it is in] the NBA. So I would just say, it’s just different things you have to do on defense. But just watching [the games], I feel like I could thrive in that environment.”
• Johnny Juzang re-signed with the Jazz on July 19, giving him a second year on a two-way contract in the organization. Sarah Todd of the Deseret News writes that the young wing is readying himself to prove doubters wrong this upcoming season. “I’ve got a lot to show everybody,” Juzang said. “Look, I mean, I’ve got a chip on my shoulder. I’ve always felt like I’m a great player and I’ve always worked super hard. But a lot of my career, I feel like I’ve been overlooked and even coming into the NBA and going undrafted, trust me, I don’t forget that.” Juzang averaged 4.8 points in 18 games last season for the Jazz and went on to average 17.8 points on better than 50% shooting from beyond the arc during this year’s Las Vegas Summer League.
• In case you missed it, Markkanen is a player to watch as a strong candidate to receive a contract renegotiation and extension in 2024, as we explained earlier this week. Markkanen broke out for the Jazz last season, averaging 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds and earning his first All-Star nod.