Predicting the top 5 leading scorers on the Jazz
Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
#3: Bojan Bogdanovic
Last season, Bojan Bogdanovic was the second-highest scorer on the Jazz, but this season I suspect that he might take a step back. With a more backcourt-oriented team, Bojan might be lost in the noise a bit. At age 32, he is still producing at a high level and is still in his prime, but I suspect Will Hardy will emphasize a younger core, so Bojan will be the odd man out.
Since he is still a consistent 39% shooter from deep, he will get plenty of chances to make a splash and I don’t predict much of a decline.
With Bolmaro, Vanderbilt, and Beasley coming in, Hardy and company might try and bring them completely into the fold. Bojan might remain a starter, but he will probably become the first guy to head to the bench any given night. Still, his shooting is enough to keep him near the top of the team.
#2: Jordan Clarkson
With Gobert gone, Jordan Clarkson is clearly the second-best player on the team. One of the best bench pieces in basketball, he can explode for big numbers off the bench and is a must-have down the stretch. In two and a half seasons with the Jazz, he is a 17-points-a-night kind of guy, and if Conley or Beverly needs an early breather, Clarkson can slot himself into the starting lineup.
While he is not an elite shooter, he gets them to fall frequently enough and is also insanely crafty, and can get himself to the time. When he is on the court, he has one job: score.
He is not a great facilitator or defender, so when the ball is in his hands you know he plans on taking it to the rack, and he does that quite well.
In terms of bench guards, he is third in shots from the paint, third in shots made, and fourth in paint touches. Practically no one in his position does what he does, and he can do it at an elite level. He could average 20 this season if the Jazz decide he is a centerpiece.
!["Utah](https://thejnotes.com/2022/07/19/predicting-top-5-leading-scorers-jazz-2023/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fimagn-images%2F2017%2F07%2F17458785.jpeg")
Bojan Bogdanovic</a> was the second-highest scorer on the Jazz, but this season I suspect that he might take a step back. With a more backcourt-oriented team, Bojan might be lost in the noise a bit. At age 32, he is still producing at a high level and is still in his prime, but I suspect Will Hardy will emphasize a younger core, so Bojan will be the odd man out.</p>
<p>Since he is still a consistent 39% shooter from deep, he will get plenty of chances to make a splash and I don’t predict much of a decline.</p>
<p>With Bolmaro, Vanderbilt, and Beasley coming in, Hardy and company might try and bring them completely into the fold. Bojan might remain a starter, but he will probably become the first guy to head to the bench any given night. Still, his shooting is enough to keep him near the top of the team.</p>
<h3>
#2: Jordan Clarkson</h3>
<p>With Gobert gone, <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2022/07/19/predicting-top-5-leading-scorers-jazz-2023/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/clarkjo01.html" ref="nofollow">Jordan Clarkson</a> is clearly the second-best player on the team. One of the best bench pieces in basketball, he can explode for big numbers off the bench and is a must-have down the stretch. In two and a half seasons with the Jazz, he is a 17-points-a-night kind of guy, and if Conley or Beverly needs an early breather, Clarkson can slot himself into the starting lineup.</p>
<p>While he is not an elite shooter, he gets them to fall frequently enough and is also insanely crafty, and can get himself to the time. When he is on the court, he has one job: score.</p>
<p>He is not a <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2022/07/19/predicting-top-5-leading-scorers-jazz-2023/2/"https://thejnotes.com/2022/06/29/three-mock-trades-improve-utahs-defense/">great facilitator or defender</a>, so when the ball is in his hands you know he plans on taking it to the rack, and he does that quite well.</p>
<p>In terms of bench guards, he is third in shots from the paint, third in shots made, and fourth in paint touches. Practically no one in his position does what he does, and he can do it at an elite level. He could average 20 this season if the Jazz decide he is a centerpiece.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2022/07/19/predicting-top-5-leading-scorers-jazz-2023/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #1 </a>
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<h3>
#1: Donovan Mitchel</h3>
<p>Assuming he remains on the team, the ninth-best scorer in the league should easily lead the Jazz in points for the sixth straight season. <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2022/07/19/predicting-top-5-leading-scorers-jazz-2023/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mitchdo01.html" ref="nofollow">Donovan Mitchell</a> is one of the most lethal scorers in the game, and it should be no shock that he comes in first on this list.</p>
<p>The only question is whether or not Mitchell will stay in a Jazz uniform. They have the tools to rebuild around him, especially if the franchise takes 2023 off, but they can also turn it completely around by flipping him for more assets.</p>
<p>The Heat, Knicks, and Sixers are the <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2022/07/19/predicting-top-5-leading-scorers-jazz-2023/2/"https://thejnotes.com/2022/07/15/knicks-reject-latest-utah-jazz-trade-idea-donovan-mitchell/">primary teams listed</a> as possible landing spots, and if I had to make lists for those teams as well, Mitchell would come in first for all of them. He is clearly a better scorer than Jimmy Butler, RJ Barrett, and Julius Randle, and the Sixers would retool their system around Mitchell so Embiid might take a step back, even though he’s a dominant paint player.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="What a Donovan Mitchell deal to Philadelphia would look like" data-url="https://thejnotes.com/2022/07/15/what-a-donovan-mitchell-deal-to-philadelphia-would-look-like/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2022/07/19/predicting-top-5-leading-scorers-jazz-2023/2/"https://thejnotes.com/2022/07/15/what-a-donovan-mitchell-deal-to-philadelphia-would-look-like/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> What a Donovan Mitchell deal to Philadelphia would look like </a> </div>
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<p>I would love to see Mitchell stay in a Jazz jersey because it means that the front office thinks the window to contend is still open. It could be, there’s no reason to shut it too fast. With Gobert gone, Mitchell can become the undisputed franchise guy and the Jazz can build around him, or they can start from scratch. Either way, Donovan Mitchell will remain an elite player and scorer and will help whoever he plays to win games.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
