Roundup of June Jazz News as Free Agency Approaches

June 29th, 2023 | by Steve Godfrey

It has already been a busy June for the Utah Jazz.

With the NBA draft in the rearview mirror and free agency looming as the next landmark ahead, it’s time to slow down the summer road trip and check in on the Utah Jazz.  Here’s a brief look at some June Jazz news.

Post-Draft Transactions

The Jazz have been connected to former Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins in the rumor mill for the last two years. Earlier this week, the deal finally happened as the Hawks sent the big man to Utah for Rudy Gay and a second-round pick.

The Hawks gain some financial flexibility from the trade, which gives them room under the luxury tax and arms them with a trade exception for over $25 million dollars to help them figure out their roster. For the Jazz, it feels like a steal. The big man hasn’t had his shooting form since a hand injury, nor has he been consistently wearing the ATL jersey, but he once averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds, is more known for his defense efficiency, is only 25, and many around the league believe just needs a change of scenery. Given the Jazz’s reputation for player development as well as their ability to absorb Collins practically for free with their cap space, Collins is worth the transaction, especially at the value it cost. Plus, with anchors Walker Kessler and Lauri Markkanen in the frontcourt already, Collins will be asked to do what he does best and can simply work on getting back to the player he just so recently was. 

For more on this trade, Dan and Ken Clayton unpacked the deal in an SCH video. 

Then, late Tuesday night, guard Talen Horton-Tucker opted into his $11 million contract for next season. This means, barring a trade, he’ll be back in Salt Lake to impact the guard rotation. At 22 years old, Horton-Tucker displayed a lot of promise as a ball handler, especially late in the season when he took over point guard duties following the Mike Conley trade. As a big guard, he is good at getting in the paint or to the post. He shot nearly 63% on shots within three feet and 43.7% on shots from three to 10 feet. 

Free Agency Rumblings

Up next is the NBA’s free agency period, which kicks off this Friday (June 30) at 4 pm MDT. Here are some questions for the Jazz:

  • What happens with Jordan Clarkson? The dude has a player option to pick up by Thursday or will test the waters for more money and stability, which could still come from the Jazz. One rumored potential suitor with money to spend and having an opening at the position is the Houston Rockets. For me personally, I’d love the Jazz to keep JC. The Jazz are moving to be competitive again, and Flamethrowers come in handy. 
  • What happens at point guard? Is the Jazz’s 2023-24 starting point guard already on the roster: Collin Sexton, THT or a rookie like Keyonte George? Or do they use some money to shore up that position of need? After absorbing Collins’ large contract in the recent trade, the Jazz don’t have all the money in the world to spend in free agency, but they do have a chunk that could go somewhere — up to about $28 million if Clarkson leaves in free agency. 
    • Little rumblings popped up around the draft that Sexton could be part of a package to trade up for a higher pick. As we know, nothing materialized. However, Sexton’s name has still been floating around. One team, in particular, has been the Milwaukee Bucks who think the combo-guard could be a nice fit in new coach Adrian Griffin’s system. 
    • Prior to the Collins acquisition, the Jazz were rumored partners to be in the running for former Ute Kyle Kuzma, or a trade target with Tobias Harris and the Philadelphia 76ers. Both those ideas would seem to be out of the question now. 
  • With the addition of Collins and draftee Taylor Hendricks, could a frontcourt player be on the way out? The guarantee deadline passed for Kelly Olynyk, meaning that his $12.2 million salary is now fully guaranteed. Olynyk will be in the last year of his modest contract and could still be part of a trade package, but for now he’s on the roster. After starting 68 games and averaging 12.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, Olynyk still has plenty to offer and should command interest if the Jazz decide to shop him.

Jazz Draft Trio of Shooters

“The way the draft board fell, really took a fortunate turn for us,” GM Justin Zanik said of the team’s selections at 9, 16 and 28. “We got two of the guys that we had in our top 10 — players, frankly, that we were debating which one to take at nine and we ended up getting both of them. And at 28 we got a player that we had in our top 18.”

The Jazz thought about packaging picks to trade up or around, but ultimately used all three picks and plan to have all three rookies, who will all turn 20 during the upcoming season, on their roster. Zanik noted, “We fielded a lot of calls — people trying to get those picks, or us moving out, or acquiring some capital — but at the end of the day, we added three really talented good prospects, but also high character guys that we think we can get better and that have a skill set that we think we can maximize.”

Here’s who they got: 

  • With the ninth pick, the Jazz selected Hendricks, a freshman out of UCF. What to know: he is long, can defend the paint and the perimeter, and shot nearly 40% from deep last year. That description alone makes him an invaluable and important player. The Ringer’s NBA Draft Guide gave the Jazz an A on the pick.
  • With the 16th pick, the Jazz selected George, a freshman out of Baylor. What to know: he can shoot, loves to shoot, and has a shot nearly everywhere on the floor. As a 6-foot-4 combo-guard, he’ll need to find his position, his playmaking, and his pick-and-roll power to really excel. The Ringer gave the Jazz a B+ on the pick. 
  • With the 28th pick, the Jazz selected Brice Sensabaugh, a freshman out of Ohio State. What to know: he was one of the best shooters in the draft, whether that is as a pull-up threat or off the catch. With 6-foot-6 size and NBA-level strength, he’ll be a two-guard that offers lineups versatility. The Ringer gave the Jazz an A on the pick.

Some Shade

After the Denver Nuggets won the NBA Finals, defeating the Miami Heat 4-1, former Jazz center Rudy Gobert took to Twitter to offer his congratulations. In doing so, he might have taken a passive-aggressive shot at the Jazz to begin the summer of sunshine with some shade. 

Markkanen’s Military Service

The NBA’s reigning Most Improved Player needs to fulfill an obligation to his country by completing mandatory military training before the age of 30. He is doing some of his services this off-season, and a photo surfaced online of him in action just recently.

 

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