Jazz Insider Gives Curious Prediction on How Backcourt Plays Out

Despite NBA training camp starting next week, it’s still unclear how the minutes will be distributed in the Utah Jazz backcourt. Which players will have the inside track when training camp begins?

Jazz play-by-play broadcaster Craig Bolerjack shared his thoughts on how the situation may take shape when he joined ESPN 700’s The Bill Riley Show.

“I think camp is going to be very competitive, and Bill, you and I have talked a lot about what will the guard line will be, and I really sense after the conversations, that will be the most focused focal point of camp,” Bolerjack told Riley. “The Kris Dunns, the Collin Sextons, the THTs, the Ochai Agbagis are going to try and impress Will Hardy, Danny Ainge, Justin Zanik on how this is going to play out. I think they have a lot of options, but they’re going to let these guys—I hate to say it this way, but fight it out because competition is good.”

Indeed, the competition will be stiff when training camp begins on October 3. It should be a foregone conclusion that Jordan Clarkson and Sexton will receive substantial minutes, but all bets are off after that. Dunn, Horton-Tucker, Abaji, and rookie Keyonte George will battle it out for the remaining spots.

There also could be some minutes at the backup small forward spot for the taking. Horton-Tucker and Abaji could make their way on the court as Lauri Markkanen’s primary backup if the backcourt is too crowded.

That said, Hardy may choose to be unconventional and not have a primary ball handler facilitate the offense. Utah has several players that can initiate the offense from a position other than the point guard spot. Bolerjack touched on the possibility of exactly that later in the conversation.

“Really, what direction the Jazz are going to go or if they’re going to go with that combo of guards—where anyone has the confidence to bring the ball in the front court and get the offense set and set in a hurry,” Bolerjack said. “I think that’s the one thing they’re going to do.”

Utah loading up on combo guards gives them plenty of options to choose from. There’s also backup forward Kelly Olynyk, who can start the offense if given the opportunity. Hardy has a full plate on his hands, trying to figure out how this will play out.

Jazz fans will find out soon enough with the first preseason game slated for October 8 versus the Los Angeles Clippers.

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