Jazz Position Battle: Predicting Who Starts at Point Guard

The Utah Jazz have a good problem on their hands.

The Utah Jazz have options at the point guard position. The battle for minutes at the one will be one of the biggest stories as we inch closer to the regular season.

Which players have the best shot to be the day-one starter? Who’s most likely to start the year on the bench?

Let’s examine the five candidates' chances of winning the starting job.

Keyonte George (5%)

The No. 16 overall pick of the NBA draft impressed in this year's Summer League, averaging 28.3 points while dishing out 8.1 assists per 40 minutes. George may have the best shot of locking down the point guard for the long haul, but it would be a first if a rookie Jazzman was made the starter from day one.

High-profile rookies Donovan Mitchell, Gordon Hayward, Dante Exum, and Deron Williams all started their first year on the bench. However, it only took Mitchell until game 12 to take over as a starter. Could George be on a similar course?

Jordan Clarkson (15%)

The Jazz could decide to start Ochai Agbaji at the two, leaving Clarkson as an option to start at the point guard spot. The former Sixth Man of the Year did show flashes as a facilitator last season, averaging a career-high 4.4 assists a game.

This may be a move coming out of left field, but not out of the realm of possibility considering Utah being bullish on Agbaji paired with Clarkson just singing a three-year/$55 million deal. It’s difficult to fathom that Utah would dish out that money to a non-starter.

Collin Sexton (20%)

When Utah moved Mike Conley last year at the trade deadline, it was Sexton that was named the starting point guard. Sexton injured his hamstring in his first start and only saw the court once post-All-Star break. Could Utah give Sexton another shot in 2023-24?

Sexton would be a strong candidate if Agbaji is made the starter at the two. It’s unlikely with Clarkson penciled in as the day-one shooting guard, but it is another scenario worth considering. That said, due to a skill set that's better suited to coming off the bench, expect Sexton to take over Clakson's old role of sixth man.

Kris Dunn (30%)

The chances of Dunn starting the season as the starter are real despite not having a guaranteed deal heading into the new season. From this point of view, Dunn makes the most sense if winning games take precedence over player development.

The former lottery pick is the best defender out of the bunch, which bodes well when attempting to align resistance against the opponent's best players. Also, Dunn may not be a dynamic scorer, but that wouldn’t be an issue if he’s on the floor with Lauri Markkanen, Clarkson, and John Collins. Dunn is also the only option where playing point guard is the most natural fit.

Talen Horton-Tucker (30%)

If Utah is in a mindset where developing talent is the No. 1 priority, then Horton-Tucker makes the most sense. There may be some high turnovers and efficiency issues, but his high ceiling can’t be ignored.

Jazz CEO Danny Ainge appears to be on a quest to put together the longest starting lineup in the league. With a seven-foot wingspan, 'THT' fits what Ainge is looking for in size, but given the depth of the position, does Utah have the patience to go through some growing pains? 

Given that Utah isn’t ready to contend for a championship, it may be in its best interest to tap into THT’s potential.

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