Jazz C Micah Potter Reveals ‘Biggest Strength’ as a Pro
With only sixteen games left in the regular season, the Utah Jazz's development of their younger players is taking center stage. On Friday night, Utah scored a combined 47 points from players who spent time in the G-League this season in a 124-122 win versus the Atlanta Hawks.
Notably, second-year Jazzman Micah Potter took advantage of his time on the court with an 11-point performance while logging just 14 minutes. Even though it was only his 14th NBA game spread over three seasons, the third-year pro has made the most of the little opportunities he's received in Salt Lake City. Potter touched on the opportunity he has moving forward in his post-game press conference.
“It's been a lot of fun,” Potter said. “I’ve been waiting around for it. Obviously, I'm very thankful for the opportunity. I have a great surrounding group around me to keep me prepared, whether it's the G-League or whether it's up with the Jazz. We have a great staff — a great developmental staff.”
Potter signed a two-year, non-guaranteed contract that expires this year. Potter sticking around with Utah next season could hinge on how he performs over the last month of the season. Thus far, the results have been well received.
Potter can play center or the power forward position and excels at shooting from a long distance. In a small sample size with the Jazz over two seasons, he's knocked down eight three-pointers on 12 attempts. In a larger sample, he's a career 40.5% shooter in 76 games played in the G-League. Potter talked about his ability to knock down shots and what he feels he brings to the table in Utah.
"I think that’s my biggest strength,” Potter said. “The ability to shoot the ball and going back to your question a little earlier, that’s something I've really tried to hone in on since becoming a pro is getting off three’s in different situations and making sure your footwork is correct."
If Potter can continue and knock down threes at a 40% clip, then finding a spot in an NBA rotation is certainly plausible. However, earning a spot on Utah’s roster next season could be a challenge, considering the depth in their frontcourt.
Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, Taylor Hendricks, Walker Kessler, and Omer Yurtseven are under contract for 2024-25. The Yurtseven deal isn't fully guaranteed, so Potter could sneak in if Utah decides to part ways with its current backup center.
But there’ll also be more competition in Utah’s frontcourt, considering some new faces that have been brought on board. Forwards Kenneth Lofton Jr. and Darius Bazley will throw their hat into the ring regarding making next year's roster, as well
That said, Potter is trending in the right direction. It appears he has leap-fogged Luka Samanic in head coach Will Hardy’s rotation and should get more reps to stake his claim for another contract with Utah. Whether that's enough to remain a Jazzman is unknown, but at the least, he should be able to continue his quest to make an NBA roster as long as he can continue to be an efficient three-point shooter.
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