Jazz 2023 Preseason: Winners & Losers

The Utah Jazz are one step closer to the regular season.

The 2023 preseason is officially in the books. The Utah Jazz finished the five-game stint with a 3-2 record, but more importantly, fans were able to get some answers to questions regarding the rotation moving forward. 

The domino effect of those five games will mean new beginnings for some parties in Utah while at the same time hindering opportunities for others. Who stands to benefit? And who was hurt? Let’s examine.

Winner: Talen Horton-Tucker

Horton-Tucker looks to be Utah’s day one starting point guard out of the gates. Despite some efficiency concerns, ‘THT’ will get the first opportunity to show the Jazz brain trust that he is the point guard of the future. 

However, keeping the job is another story if Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reports are true. On Wednesday, Fischer reported that Utah attempted to trade Horton-Tucker to create a path for Keyonte George and Kris Dunn to take over the point guard duties. It’s a developing story worth keeping an eye on.

Loser: Taylor Hendricks & Brice Sensabaugh

The pair of first-round picks won’t make the initial rotation. Injuries played a big part in it, but both players are only 19 years old and still could work their way into being a contributor at some point this season. 

There’s been no announcement yet, but Jazz fans can expect a heavy dose of live reps in the G-League for both players.

Winner: Kris Dunn

We’ll have to wait and see if Dunn can crack the rotation soon, but at the least, the former lottery pick made a statement that he deserves a guaranteed contract. 

Dunn finished the preseason averaging 8.0 ppg on an efficient 85.7% shooting from the field. Utah should be looking to lock Dunn up to be the backup point guard of the future. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, so if Utah doesn’t resign Dunn, someone else will. 

Loser-Simone Fontecchio

The second-year Jazz man seems to always shine on the international stage, but heading into year two, he’s still at the back of the depth chart. 

Fontecchio averaged 5.6 ppg in five games on just 32 % shooting from the field. With Ochai Agbaji likely claiming minutes at the back forward position, the end could be near for Fontecchio in a Jazz uniform. 

This is the last year in his contract, so Jazz fans can anticipate a potential trade to either help a team looking for cap relief next year or contribute to facilitating an exchange if Utah wants to upgrade the roster.

---

Follow Inside The Jazz on Facebook and Twitter.

Subscribe on YouTube for breaking Jazz news videos and live-stream