It’s a safe bet that Keyonte George, Jaren Jackson Jrand Lauri Markkanen will be starters for Jazzand Yusuf Nurkich seems likely to be part of this group as well, writes Shreyas Ladda of The Salt Lake Tribune. Ace Bailey, Brice Sensabaugh, All Mihailyuksand the #2 overall pick Darrin Peterson all could be in the mix for the final starting spot, but the head coach Will Hardy more concerned with how his rotation fits together as a whole than which players are the top five on the floor.
“I really think of it as 48 minutes,” Hardy said at Monday’s media day. “I know being a ‘starter’ is important for players and it’s sometimes important for the narrative, but you get five and a half minutes into the game and it’s different. Obviously, I want the first five and a half to six minutes to function at a high level, but we also have to start thinking about when the substitutions start, who comes in, who comes out. What group is on the court now.”
While Hardy expects to have a better idea of what his ideal lineup looks like once training camp and the preseason wrap up, he cautioned that the starting five on opening night won’t necessarily be the one the Jazz try to stick with all season.
“I don’t think whoever starts is a statement to the world, ‘This is our starting five for the foreseeable future.'” he said. “Things can change. When things change, it doesn’t always mean a demotion. I think sometimes the narrative can become, ‘Oh, he’s not the starter anymore. He’s lost his place.” Usually we just put them somewhere else.”
Here’s more about jazz:
- Basketball president Austin Ainge said at media day that Peterson was “just as advertised,” praising the rookie guard for his “intensity, work ethic and maturity,” according to Laddha, who notes that Mo Bamba compared choice #2 with Kawhi Leonard thanks to his calm demeanor and ability to kill. “I really see the hunger and desire to learn,” Bamba said of Peterson. “He’s so calm, ahead of his time as far as maturity. … I think he’s going to have a really good year based on his work ethic and based on how much he wants to learn.”
- It will be a pivotal 2023 season for first-rounder Sensabaugh, who is eligible for a rookie-scale extension until Oct. 19 and will be a restricted free agent in 2027 unless he signs a new deal before the season begins. The 22-year-old, who said Monday he hopes to sign a new contract in the coming weeks, told reporters he focused on shooting and defense in the offseason. “Summer was a big step for me” Sensabaugh said, according to Ladda. “It’s the hardest I’ve ever worked in my life. Honestly, I feel twice as good to be honest. So I’m excited to see how it plays against other teams and other people.”
- Speaking with JP Chunga and Eric Spiropoulos of UtahJazz.com (Link to YouTube), Ainge explained why re-signing Nurkic was the team’s top priority this offseason. “He’s had a really good year for us and we think he’s a good fit in Will’s system, especially well.” Ainge said. “The way we test some things, his decision-making ability has really helped a lot of our guards get open and get good shots. He’s a great screen setter and passer. He’s obviously an incredible rebounder. Maybe those are some of the weaknesses we have on our team and he helps — some ball handling and some rebounding.” While most of Utah’s other free agent additions have been signed to the team for a second year, Nurkic’s new two-year, $22 million contract is fully guaranteed.
- As the team transitions from rebuilding mode to fighting for a playoff spot, Ainge noted that the front office will continue to look for ways to revamp the roster, writing By Na’Andre Emerson of The Deseret News. “We know we’re not a finished product as a team,” Ainge said. “Teams that win championships have to constantly adapt. So we’re going to look for everything you expect.” The Jazz currently have just 14 players under standard contracts and are operating nearly $20 million below the luxury tax threshold, giving them plenty of flexibility to make moves before or during the season.
