Mar 25, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Utah Jazz guard Johnny Juzang (33) dribbles against Sacramento Kings forward Kessler Edwards (17) during the third quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
2. Johnny Juzang
Juzang is a player I’ve been super high on since coming out of UCLA. However, with him currently signed to a two-way deal, he’s only had a chance to play in 15 games so far this season. With the current state of the Jazz this late in the season, Juzang’s opportunities should absolutely increase.
Here’s a little bit about Juzang in case you didn’t know:
Juzang is a 22-year-old rookie small forward. He stands at 6’7, weighing in at 215 pounds. In 2019, Juzang was a highly touted recruit entering college, ranking 34th in the nation in his college class.
He was a three-year player in college, playing his first season at Kentucky, then transferring to UCLA in his sophomore season. Juzang really began to take off in his junior season, Juzang averaged 15.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game for the Bruins.
Despite some solid play in two years at UCLA, as well as some memorable moments in March Madness, Juzang eventually went undrafted in the 2022 Draft. Despite this, the Jazz decided to sign Juzang to a two-way deal for this season.
In the 15 games Juzang’s played this season, he’s averaged 4.7 points and two rebounds per game on 34% shooting from the field. He may not be the most efficient, however, since he’s a rookie, we can give him a pass this time. He showed in college that he can put up solid efficiency when given more opportunity, shooting 43/36/83 splits in his junior season at UCLA.
If there was ever a time to give Juzang an increased role in the team, it should be now. With a season average of 12 minutes per game when he plays, coach Will Hardy needs to pump these numbers up to see what Juzang has to offer.
as the regular season begins to wrap up.</a></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/2023/04/05/three-jazz-players-watch-stretch/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Keep riding the hot hand </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-89902" src=https://thejnotes.com/2023/04/05/three-jazz-players-watch-stretch/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_433,w_698/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1248918703-420x260.jpeg" alt="" width="698" height="433"><p class="wp-caption-text">SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 20: Talen Horton-Tucker #0 of the Utah Jazz reacts to a dunk during the first half against the Sacramento Kings at Vivint Arena on March 20, 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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<h3>1. Talen Horton-Tucker</h3>
<p>Since missing a few games at the start of February, Talen Horton-Tucker has been on an absolute tear. In the 24 games since returning, Horton-Tucker has averaged around 17 points per game, five rebounds per game, and six assists per game. A big jump from his previous average this season of seven points, two rebounds, and two assists.</p>
<p>Since March 29th, Horton-Tucker has also managed to put up four consecutive 20+ points games. With this recent surge, the Jazz need to continue to rely on Horton-Tucker’s recent production going forward.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Talen Horton Tucker in tonight's loss<br>23 PTS<br>7 AST<br>4 REB<br>2 STL <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2023/04/05/three-jazz-players-watch-stretch/3/"https://t.co/QWoKt8AXm5">pic.twitter.com/QWoKt8AXm5
<p>— Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2023/04/05/three-jazz-players-watch-stretch/3/"https://twitter.com/JazzLead/status/1643459546567020545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 5, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>The important part of playing Horton-Tucker really comes with the current status of his contract. Horton-Tucker is entering the offseason on a player option worth about $11 million. It’s an option he could easily look to decline based on his recent play.</p>
<p>These final few games can be a great help for the Jazz later in the summer to help indicate whether or not Horton-Tucker can be worth a long-term deal going forward.</p>
<p>If Talen continues to ball out in the final three games of the season, the Jazz could look at that late-season production and be potentially more inclined to pay him. Or, if he continues to play a bit streaky or inconsistent, could also help the Jazz in negotiations to lower his cost.</p>
<p>Regardless, Horton-Tucker is a player that needs to continue to be a focal point of the offense going forward.</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/2023/04/05/three-jazz-players-watch-stretch/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Give some love to a two-way player </a>
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Utah Jazz: The 50 greatest players in franchise history</a></p></blockquote>
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