Jazz Player Profile: Collin Sexton's 2023 Outlook
Over the coming months of the offseason, I will break down each currently contracted Utah Jazz player for the 2023-24 season. Each player will be analyzed on the individual level and how they fit with the team, as well as how they've grown, and where they can improve going into the season.
The second player I will profile is point guard Collin Sexton.
Sexton joins Lauri Markkanen as one of only two players on the 2023-24 Jazz books with a contract above $17 million ($17.5 million). Sexton signed an extension through the 2025-26 season last summer after arriving via trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Sexton joined the Jazz after missing most of the previous season with a torn meniscus. He began the year in Utah with a smaller role backing up Mike Conley.
This was the smallest role Sexton has had in his young NBA career. At times, he voiced his frustration with his role early in the year, but after the Conley trade, his role changed dramatically.
Over the entire season, Sexton averaged only 23 minutes per game, which was a huge drop-off from his prior seasons. Although he was limited in his minutes on the court, he saw his most productive and efficient season.
For the first time in his career, Sexton shot above 50% from the field and a .558 eFF%, which translated to winning basketball. Over his five-year career, he posted his biggest win shares per 48 minutes at .105.
RELATED: Jazz Player Profile: Lauri Markkanen's 2023 Outlook
Although Sexton made great strides this past season and learned a lot from the veteran Conley, he still showed huge lapses in decision-making on the court. For Sexton to take the next step in his career and become a solid starting guard, he will need to better protect the ball, look to improve his playmaking, and become a more reliable defender.
Sexton is a very serviceable backup guard, and spark plug off the bench, and if he doesn’t improve over the next season, he will only ever be just that. He showed through his work ethic and growth the past year that he is capable of making that leap, and this next season, he will have the opportunity to prove himself.
If Sexton continues the status quo, he will still be a valuable asset with a very movable contract going forward. The Jazz have nothing to lose, and Sexton has everything to prove. Time will tell who the real winner is in the Jazz/Sexton era.
Follow Inside The Jazz on Facebook and Twitter.
Subscribe on YouTube for breaking Jazz news videos and live-stream podcasts!
