ESPN’s Zach Lowe on Jazz Next NBA Season: ‘Major Risk for a Step Back'
Despite a successful offseason, the Utah Jazz might not be quite ready to take that next step in the West for next season just yet. In such a deep and talented conference, the path for Utah to reach the postseason is not as cut and dry as some may think.
On the latest episode of the Lowe Post, ESPN’s Zach Lowe voiced some of his concerns sticking out about the Jazz, mainly diving into their lack of guard and playmaking talent:
“My gut on them is they’re at risk. They’re at major risk for a step back in the West next season. Their guard play and their playmaking, specifically with [Mike] Conley now long-gone makes me nervous, the lack of perimeter passing talent...37 wins feels like a big lift for this group."
After last season’s trade deadline decision to send Mike Conley to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Jazz are really stuck without a true playmaker or distributor on hand. A situation that could potentially develop into a bigger problem for Utah once we get invested into next season.
Sure, we have seen some talent from players like Jordan Clarkson and Kelly Olynyk as a playmaker, also with Keyonte George showing some flashes during Summer League. Still, you would like to enter next season with more confidence in who will be getting the ball in the hands of your best players.
Lowe continued to note how some of the more significant pieces for the Jazz next year lack that much-desired playmaking ability outside of the guard position like Lauri Markkanen and John Collins:
“The playmaking stuff also goes back to Markkanen. That is the next and maybe final frontier in his game. He makes other people better just by the sheer attention that he draws, both as a scorer and a shooter... but his passing vision just hasn’t been there, and Collins is a one to two assist per game max guy."
While the massive jump we saw from Markkanen last season was a pleasant surprise for the Jazz, Lowe is right that we have yet to see that impact you would like from Lauri as a passer. He averaged under two assists per game last season, maintaining that reputation in his 6-year career. If there were ever a next step for Markkanen to take next season, this would be it.
Entering next season with many options down the roster at guard, perhaps Utah can find a stopgap or solution for their playmaking woes. A further-improved Lauri Markkanen, shining Keyonte George, or even a healthy Collin Sexton could be one of many potential answers for Will Hardy.
If not, the Utah Jazz may be in for a rude awakening come October’s season start.
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