Insider Dishes on ‘Tough Dilemma’ Jazz Face This Season

The Utah Jazz start the season tonight with higher expectations than the previous year. However, with the Jazz only being in year two of their rebuild, the front office will still be trying to balance what’s in their best interest in the present versus what’s better for the franchise down the road.

Does Utah put their best foot forward and play to win in 2023-24? The subject arose when former Jazz assistant coach Gordie Chiesa joined The Bill Riley Show on ESPN 700.

The Bill Riley Show 10-23-23 https://t.co/y6MUo7A4yV
— ESPN 700 | 92.1 (@ESPN700) October 23, 2023

“As always, everyone is thinking about their team as far as trying to manage their roster but also what aspirations internally of what they think they can do,” Chiesa told Riley. “The Jazz have a tough dilemma where they’re still young, they want to win, but they’re still in what — the building mode. So, it’s a tough sweet spot they’re trying to navigate through.”

It feels like Utah is playing for keeps to start the season, but some decisions are still being made with the future in mind.

The first is starting Talen Horton-Tucker at the point guard position to start the season. The way it’s trending, ‘THT’ won’t be in a Jazz uniform next year. The fifth-year pro’s contract expires at the end of this season, and with four capable guards under contract for 2024-25, a trade will likely be in the works at some point.

If we go off last season's performance and this year's preseason, Kris Dunn should be the day-one starter. Dunn followed up a strong 2022-23 with a preseason in which he was Utah’s most efficient guard. Pair that with being the best wing defender on the roster, and it’s a pretty easy decision.

So why start Horton-Tucker? The Jazz may want to increase his stock for an upcoming in-season trade. Although Dunn has a better chance of sticking with Utah long-term as the backup point guard, the Jazz may be looking to play the long game regarding the distribution of backcourt minutes.

Then there’s the 2024 first-round pick owed to the Oklahoma City Thunder. If Utah doesn’t get off to a good start to the season, they’re positioned where they could start tanking. The pick is top ten protected, and it may be advantageous in the long run to trade some of the vets and play the rookies instead.

Jazz CEO Danny Ainge showed last year that he’s not scared to write off the season, even with a playoff spot on the line. Tanking the season could depend on the perception of talent in the 2024 draft, but nothing should ever be taken off the table with Ainge in charge.

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