Jazz HC Addresses Whether Clarkson, Sexton Have Been 'Shut Down'
Last week, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that the Utah Jazz have essentially shut down Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton for what remains of the season. However, according to The Salt Lake Tribune’s Andy Larsen, Jazz head coach Will Hardy repudiated the claim that his starting backcourt is done for the year.
"Will Hardy says Jazz haven’t shut down Collin Sexton or Jordan Clarkson for the season and that he hopes both of those players return soon," Larsen tweeted on March 31.
Sexton himself claimed "absolutely" he'll play again this season little more than a week ago, but each passing day brings the end of the campaign nearer. He hasn't suited up since February 15 with a nagging hamstring injury.
Clarkson has missed 12 straight games with a thumb injury and 14 of the last 15. After returning to practice weeks ago, fully cleared to play (at the time), he still didn't return to the lineup. Whether that's because of a setback or an organizational decree, we do not know.
However, it seems pretty evident that Jazz CEO Danny Ainge is passively pulling strings to ensure the team bolsters its draft position. Utah holds three first-round picks and even if the Jazz did make the playoffs this year, there's no chance they could go the distance.
Thus, it's believed that Ainge is posturing for draft position. It doesn't take a tinfoil hat to deduce which way that particular wind is blowing.
Hardy has done yeoman's work keeping the Jazz competitive this season in the wake of Utah's huge trade at the deadline and the consistent absence of the team's starting backcourt. He deserves a lot of credit for not only the team's fight but also the development of rookie center Walker Kessler and the emergence of Talen Horton-Tucker and Ochai Agbaji. Clarkson and Sexton have arguably been 'Wally Pipped.'
Hardy's handy work portends well for the future. In the short term, though, Jazz fans had best prepare themselves for the season coming to an end on April 9.
However, the consolation is that Utah is poised to have yet another very eventful offseason, with a grip of premium draft picks and salary-cap space to boot. Clarkson will hit the free-agent market, while Sexton is under contract beyond this season.
Reprising his role in the starting lineup, whenever Sexton returns, won't be fait accompli, however, as Horton-Tucker has risen to the level of the indispensable. Sexton is better coming in off the bench, anyway.
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