Category: Utah Jazz Blog

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2022 Utah Jazz draft workouts

Here’s the Salt Lake Tribune on the Utah Jazz and the 2022 NBA Draft:

The Utah Jazz do not presently have a pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Which shouldn’t and won’t stop them from conducting offseason business as usual.

Thursday morning saw the Jazz host their first predraft workout session at Zions Bank Basketball Campus. The six participants — all considered likely to be either second-rounders or rookie free agents — were Connecticut guard R.J. Cole, Wichita State guard Tyson Etienne, UCLA guard Johnny Juzang, Seton Hall wing Jared Rhoden, Australian forward Akoldah Gak, and Purdue big man Trevion Williams…

The Jazz are slated to have a second batch of workouts this weekend.

On the future of the Utah Jazz beyond the 2022 playoffs

A factor to consider after these playoffs is the team’s age. If the Jazz weren’t on the older end of the age spectrum, management might be more patient. The team’s leader, Donovan Mitchell, is only 25, while Bojan Bogdanovic is 33 and Mike Conley is 34, making them two of four players over 30. Conley has been in the professional game for 15 years, one longer than Bogdanovic.

According to Sporting News, the Jazz were tied for second among the NBA’s oldest teams entering this season. The Lakers (30.0) were the only team that was older. At 28.1, the Jazz and Nets came in second and third, respectively.

The Celtics (25.9), Grizzlies (24.2), Timberwolves (24.3), Pelicans (25.0), Raptors (25.2), and 76ers (25.8) are all rising young teams. The Jazz are in the Western Conference with a lot of the league’s best young teams.

Via the Deseret News

Donovan Mitchell good to go for Mavs at Jazz Game 6

Donovan Mitchell, star guard for the Utah Jazz, said that he will be available for Game 6 against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, a day after an MRI on his left hamstring came back negative.

Mitchell stated he’s suffering from soreness as a result of a bilateral quadriceps contusion, as diagnosed by the team’s medical staff. He did, however, state unequivocally that he would be able to play in Thursday’s home game against the Jazz, who are in danger of being eliminated.

Via ESPN.com

Injury update on Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell

The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell:

Mitchell (6-3, 222, Louisville) was re-examined Tuesday morning by the Utah Jazz medical staff and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) testing on his left hamstring. The results were negative. Mitchell has bi-lateral quadriceps contusions and will continue treatment. His status for Game 6 of Utah’s First Round series against Dallas will be updated on Wednesday.

Utah Jazz convert Trent Forrest’s contract from two-way to standard

The Utah Jazz have exercised the Standard NBA Contract Conversion Option on two-way guard Trent Forrest’s contract.

Forrest (6-4, 198, Florida State) is in his second NBA season with the Jazz, appearing in 60 games (six starts) averaging 3.3 points on 49.0 percent from the field, 1.8 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per contest in 2021-22. For his career, Forrest has seen action in 90 games as a Jazzman, owning averages of 3.1 points, 1.7 assists and 1.6 rebounds.

The Chipley, Fla., native was a four-year collegiate player at Florida State and left as the winningest player in school history with 104 victories, also ranking third in all-time steals (224), third in all-time games played (137) and fifth in all-time assists (455). Off the court, Forrest was named to the ACC All-Academic Basketball Team and ACC Academic Honor Roll in four-straight seasons.

Utah Jazz sign center Greg Monroe to 10-day contract

The Utah Jazz have signed center Greg Monroe to a 10-day contract.

Monroe (6-11, 265, Georgetown) is in his 10th NBA season, most recently playing with Minnesota, Washington and Milwaukee during the 2021-22 season, owning averages of 5.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 10 games.

A native of New Orleans, Monroe has appeared in 642 career games (417 starts) with Detroit, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Boston, Toronto, Philadelphia, Minnesota and Washington, with career averages of 13.1 points on 51.4 percent from the field, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 27.5 minutes per contest.

Jazz center Udoka Azubuike undergoes season-ending surgery

The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz center Udoka Azubuike:

Azubuike underwent successful surgery today to repair multiple ankle and foot ligaments in his right foot to stabilize the Subtalar joint. The surgery was performed in Indianapolis by foot and ankle specialist Dr. David Porter in consultation with Jazz team physician Dr. Travis Maak. Azubuike will be out for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.

Azubuike (7-0, 270, Kansas) is in his second season with the Jazz, owning averages of 4.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game.

Utah Jazz sign forward Xavier Sneed to two-way contract

The Utah Jazz have signed forward Xavier Sneed to a two-way contract.

Sneed (6-5, 215, Kansas State) appeared in two games with the Memphis Grizzlies this season and also played in 18 games (all starts) with the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League, averaging 11.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.7 steals in 27.2 minutes per contest.

The St. Louis, Mo., native played in 13 games (10 starts) with the Swarm in 2020-21 and averaged 8.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.9 steals. He has additional professional playing experience in Canada where he played for the Niagara River Lions of the CEBL in 2020-21, averaging 17.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals.

Collegiately, Sneed played four seasons at Kansas State (2016-20), where he averaged 10.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 steals in 137 career games (104 starts).

COVID restrictions mostly lifted for Utah Jazz home games starting Feb. 25, 2022

FROM THE UTAH JAZZ

Effective February 25, the requirement for proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will be lifted to gain access to Utah Jazz home games at Vivint Arena.

The use of proper face coverings remains a recommended practice as an effective health tool to prevent the spread of the virus. Vaccinations and boosters are urged as the best defense against the virus. Per NBA health and safety protocols, masks are still required for individuals in designated areas surrounding the basketball court.

Other Vivint Arena events will adhere to the specific COVID-19 protocols of the event organizer or concert/show promoter which could require mandatory masks and/or proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event time. For upcoming events, ticket holders should check the particular status of their event at www.vivintarena.com.