Predicting Which Jazz Players Get Most Game Minutes
The new Utah Jazz season is less than 48 hours away, and sheer excitement is alive and well in Salt Lake City. New Jazz head coach Will Hardy led his team to a 1-3 preseason record, giving each player a fair opportunity to survive final roster cuts.
The Jazz roster now sits at the final 15 players. With the tension of cutting players out of the way, let's review how early-season game minutes may be distributed.
Projected Starting Lineup
First, the Jazz will likely start Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen, Kelly Olynyk, and Jarred Vanderbilt. A possible adjustment to the starting lineup could include Malik Beasley at the two, not Clarkson.
Starting Beasley would place Clarkson in his familiar role as the sixth man and provide the Jazz with instant offense from the bench.
Mike Conley: 25-30 minutes per game.
Jordan Clarkson: 32-35 minutes per game.
Lauri Markkanen: 35 minutes per night.
Kelly Olynyk: 30 minutes per night.
Jarred Vanderbilt: 20-25 minutes per night.
Reserves
Distribution of Bench Minutes
Bottom Line
The Jazz seem set on the starting lineup with a number of versatile commodities in reserve roles. The starters had better be on their A-game, especially as a rebuilding team with the thought of accelerating tank mode.
It will be interesting to review the new-look Jazz as the season gets underway on October 19 at Vivint Smart Arena, with the Denver Nuggets coming to town.
Follow James on Twitter @jlewNBA.