ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 04: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks battles Royce O’Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz during the first half at State Farm Arena on February 4, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Can John Collins return to his near-All-Star form?
John Collins was a rising star for the Atlanta Hawks before the arrival of Trae Young. In fact, he was seen as the perfect compliment for Young. A pick and roll, lob-specialist, that could give Young a needed and reliable secondary option. Even before Collins’ finger injury, he and Young never truly meshed.
Injuries slowed Collins down after his first three seasons in the league, and while he still put up decent numbers, he was still struggling to play a full season. Collins has played 70 games just twice in his career, and that type of recurring issue has made some weary of what Collins can provide for a contender.
But that’s the thing about Collins, if he can stay healthy he could be the perfect compliment for Lauri Markkanen. He’s a skilled shooter and can hit at least one three per game if not more. At his apex, he can put up a shooting split of .583/.401/.800, while posting a stat line of 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game.
If that’s the type of production the Jazz traded for, then Utah is in for a treat. Yet, if Collins can’t return to that standard of play, perhaps a trade would be best, that way some of the rookies could get some action in a season where many don’t expect too much out of the squad.
acclimated with one another.</a></p>
<p>Hopefully, every NBA player returns to their respective teams healthy, otherwise, it won’t just be wind sprints and drills people will have to worry about, but replacing key members of the roster.</p>
<p>Assuming the Jazz don’t have to worry about any of their key players dropping in the FIBA World Cup, these are the six questions that the Jazz still have to answer.</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/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 1 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-90373 size-full" src=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1500698854.jpeg" alt="Utah Jazz" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1500698854.jpeg 1600w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1500698854-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1500698854-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Keyonte George at the 2023 NBA Draft. Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images</p>
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<h2>How will the rookies perform?</h2>
<p>The question around the Utah jazz rookies is a pretty simple one; what can fans expect from the trio of rookies? It seems unlikely that all three will turn into 10-point-per-game type of guys right out of the gates. That’s some New Japan-level hype for three cats who may all come off the bench this year.</p>
<p>And last I checked, the Jazz didn’t draft Keiji Muto, Masahiro Chono, and Shinya Hashimoto to their roster. So<a href=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/25/will-utah-jazz-rookie-taylor-hendricks-be-ready-for-training-camp/"> asking Taylor Hendricks,</a> Keyonte George, and Brice Sensabaugh to be dominating players right out of the gate is pretty unrealistic.</p>
<p>Hendricks has to compete with John Collins, Kelly Olynyk, and others just for minutes, let alone a starting job, or a prominent role in the offense. Sensabaugh may not even be ready for camp with his knee injury still needing time to fully recover, and when he does he’s not taking Lauri Markkanen’s spot.</p>
<p>Then you have George, who of all three has the easiest, but not easy, path to significant minutes. The Jazz have a trio of point guards ahead of him that could easily start. Collin Sexton, Talen Horton-tucker, and Kris Dunn all have something to bring to the table as the team’s starting point guard.</p>
<p>But it’s too soon to say that George can’t or won’t win the starting point guard job.</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/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 2 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-89559 size-full" src=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2285,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1230975182.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2285" srcset="https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1230975182.jpeg 3200w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1230975182-768x548.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 04: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks battles Royce O’Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz during the first half at State Farm Arena on February 4, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Can John Collins return to his near-All-Star form?</h2>
<p>John Collins was a rising star for the Atlanta Hawks before the arrival of Trae Young. In fact, he was seen as the perfect compliment for Young. A pick and roll, lob-specialist, that could give Young a needed and reliable secondary option. Even before Collins’ finger injury, he and Young never truly meshed.</p>
<p>Injuries slowed Collins down after his first three seasons in the league, and while he still put up decent numbers, he was still struggling to play a full season. Collins has played 70 games just twice in his career, and that type of recurring issue has made some weary of what Collins can provide for a contender.</p>
<p>But that’s the thing about Collins, if he can stay healthy he could be the perfect compliment for Lauri Markkanen. He’s a skilled shooter and can hit at least one three per game if not more. At his apex, he can put up a shooting split of .583/.401/.800, while posting a stat line of 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game.</p>
<p>If that’s the type of production the Jazz traded for, then Utah is in for a treat. Yet, if Collins can’t <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/24/john-collins-fit-jazz-rotation/">return to that standard of play</a>, perhaps a trade would be best, that way some of the rookies could get some action in a season where many don’t expect too much out of the squad.</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/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 3 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-90177 size-full" src=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1703,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1460846433-scaled.jpeg" alt="Utah Jazz, Collin Sexton trade ideas." width="2560" height="1703" srcset="https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1460846433-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1460846433-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1460846433-1536x1022.jpeg 1536w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1460846433-2048x1363.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Utah Jazz, Collin Sexton trade ideas.</p>
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<h2>Who is going to start at point guard?</h2>
<p>We’re going to talk about the point guard situation until we know who is the starter, and if that player can in fact be reliable in that role. Right now the leading candidates are Collin Sexton and Kris Dunn, with Talen Horton-Tucker, Keyonte George, and possibly someone like Jordan Clarkson in the discussion.</p>
<p>Sexton seems like he’ll head into camp and the preseason as the team’s point guard, and while he can get a bucket at will, he’s not much of a facilitator. Dunn is, and he’s a much better defender than Sexton, but he can’t score at will like Sexton can.</p>
<p>Horton-Tucker is the least likely to win the role as he’s not as good of a scorer as Sexton and can’t do the things Dunn can do so naturally. George can absolutely take the starter’s job if what we saw in the Summer League was a taste of things to come. But if it wasn’t, then he may very easily be sent to the bench for a while while the others get more minutes.</p>
<p>As far as Clarkson goes, a lot of what he’ll end up getting opportunity-wise will come from the World Cup, where he’s a <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/25/ranking-all-5-utah-jazz-players-in-the-fiba-world-cup-by-importance/">member of Team Philippines</a>. He’ll be a ball-dominant guard, but if he’s not passing well during the international tournament, it’s hard to see how he could get the opportunity to lead the offense. He’ll have a major role, sure, but he just may not be the point guard the team needs.</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/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 4 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-90009 size-full" src=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1250842097.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1250842097.jpeg 3200w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1250842097-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – APRIL 06: Kelly Olynyk #41 of the Utah Jazz in action during the first half of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Arena on April 06, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>What does the big man rotation look like?</h2>
<p>The big situation is interesting. The team made some room by parting ways with Jarred Vanderbilt, Damian Jones, and Udoka Azubuike over the last six months but even before the new additions came, they still had a log jam. Before the newbies showed up, the Jazz still had Lauri Markkanen, Kelly Olynyk, Walker Kessler, Luka Samanic, and Micah Potter.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>Then the team then added John Collins via a trade, <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/24/omer-yurtseven-hopes-for-a-rebound-season-with-the-utah-jazz/">signed Omer Yurtseven</a>, and drafted Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensabaugh. If you’re counting, that’s nine players who can play either power forward or center.</p>
<p>Now, luckily for everyone, Markkanen is going to continue to start at small forward until the team finds a small forward better than anyone at power forward. Then you’ll likely see Markkanen switch to the four. Also, Sensabaugh is listed as a small forward right now, and while he’ll likely play both positions, that’s at least one less body to worry about.</p>
<p>That still leaves Olynyk, Kessler, Samanic, Potter, Collins, Yurtseven, and Hendricks to fight for three, maybe four slots in the rotation. And if we’re being even more honest, there’s really just one spot up for grabs; as Kessler and Collins are your starters at center and power forward, while Olynyk will be the first big off the bench.</p>
<p>That leaves just Yurtseven, Samanic, and Hendricks to fight for the last spot. While Potter has a shot, he’s also on a two-way contract and will likely spend a good chunk of time in the G-League.</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/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 5 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-90000 size-full" src=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2129,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1469092648.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2129" srcset="https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1469092648.jpeg 3200w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1469092648-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – FEBRUARY 23: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz in action during a game at Vivint Arena on February 28, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Can Lauri Markkanen continue to play like an All-Star?</h2>
<p>Lauri Markkanen’s had an up-and-down NBA career so far, and that’s coming from someone who’s a fan of the guy. Markkanen showed a lot of promise early in his career and looked like an All-Star in the making, but then he had a lackluster end to his time in Chicago, before heading to Cleveland where he was the team’s fourth option.</p>
<p>Finally in a starring role in Utah last season, Markkanen destroyed teams with his unique and varied offensive skill set. He wasn’t just getting empty stats either, he was effective from everywhere on the court, and because he was, he ended up making an All-Star team for the first time in his career.</p>
<p>He had great shooting splits, hitting 50% from the floor, nearly 40% from three, and nearly 88% from the free-throw line. Then you look at his stat and you can see he put it all together; nearly 26 points, nearly nine rebounds, and just about two assists per game.</p>
<p>And while he deserved the All-Star selection and the Most Improved Award, he’s got to prove that he can do this again, and again. Markkanen may already be one of, if not the greatest Finnish-born players ever, but if he wants to become one of the greatest Utah Jazz players ever, then he’s got to do more.</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/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 6 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-90206 size-full" src=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1706,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1469092643-scaled.jpeg" alt="Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz." width="2560" height="1706" srcset="https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1469092643-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1469092643-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1469092643-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1469092643-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz.</p>
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<h2>What is Walker Kessler’s ceiling?</h2>
<p>Walker Kessler is the lynchpin to the Utah Jazz’s success in the 2023-2024 season. He’s already a <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/24/utah-jazzs-walker-kessler-makes-top-14-defensive-player-year-odds/">Top 15 defensive player according to some</a>, and his impact on the Jazz will go a long way. Especially since the Jazz lacked consistent defense last season, an area that Kessler can help with fairly easily.</p>
<p>But that leaves us to the question; what is his ceiling? Can he become a Defensive Player of the Year? Can he develop his game even more beyond that? Kessler’s best scoring season across his time at the University of North Carolina, Auburn, and Auburn has been just 11 points per game. Is Kessler capable of that?</p>
<p>A limited offensive skillset kept Rudy Gobert from developing beyond a put-back or lob-threat, and if Kessler can develop a touch around the rim, or even, dare I say, a three-point shot, then maybe Kessler can be more than just a very good, if not elite defensive player.</p>
<p>Maybe he could be the next great NBA center. But he’s got to put in the time to develop those skills, and the Jazz has to be willing to trust him with the ball more. Hopefully, a strong outing with Team USA in the FIBA World Cup will help make running plays for him an easier decision to make.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="6 free agent point guards the Utah Jazz need to consider signing" data-url="https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/23/6-free-agent-point-guards-the-utah-jazz-need-to-consider-signing/" 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/2023/07/26/6-biggest-questions-for-the-utah-jazz-heading-to-training-camp/3/"https://thejnotes.com/2023/07/23/6-free-agent-point-guards-the-utah-jazz-need-to-consider-signing/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 6 free agent point guards the Utah Jazz need to consider signing </a> </div>
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