2022 Camp begins-The tank is on

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https://www.deseret.com/sports/2022/...-training-camp

It’ll come as no surprise that some of the Utah Jazz veterans — Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, Malik Beasley — have been vocal leaders through the first week of training camp. But some of the youngest and least experienced players on the roster have had standout moments in these early days.

time to get rid of them if they don't have moments. They have talent. They should have moments. The best of them will do it consistently as they develop

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James Edwards III: Isaiah Stewart said Bojan is “one of the smartest players he’s ever played with.” Said the transition has been easy.
– via Twitter JLEdwardsIII

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Crowder does not appear to be alone in wanting an extension. New Pistons sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanović, 33, is said to be seeking a new multiyear contract, which league sources say dissuaded some interested teams from pushing harder to try to acquire him from the Jazz as Bogdanović plays out this season on an expiring $19.3 million deal.

– via Marc Stein @ marcstein.substack.com





Word is that the Pistons want to see first if they have enough on the roster to mount an unexpected run at a play-in slot … even in a deeper-than-usual Eastern Conference that doesn’t exactly encourage such optimism.

– via Marc Stein @ marcstein.substack.com

he'll be on another team by the deadline

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Jared Weiss: The Celtics are waiving Denzel Valentine, sources tell me and @Shams Charania.
– via Twitter JaredWeissNBA

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NBA Central: “Me…Draymond and probably Giannis, three guys who can literally guard 1-through-5 and be effective.” – Bam Adebayo (Via https://t.co/wWGNmWoaNH) pic.twitter.com/vPpIgwX494

– via Twitter TheNBACentral

Gobert. No he can't guard all 5 at once

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Tony Jones: Malik Beasley has been getting Most of the votes this week for best shooter on the team

– via Twitter Tjonesonthenba

not Clarkson?

Tony Jones: Jordan Clarkson on the difference of coaches: last year, we had been together for three years so camp had been a little more chill. So it’s difficult to really compare. This year we are playing a lot and a bunch of competing.

– via Twitter Tjonesonthenba







Tony Jones: Clarkson on practice this week: everyone has been competing and going hard. Kelly Olynyk has done a great job and Malik has been shooting the ball and Mike has been Mike. Everyone has had a good camp and everyone has been playing hard

– via Twitter Tjonesonthenba







Tony Jones: Jordan Clarkson on tomorrows Utah Jazz preseason opener: I think we’re all excited to get out there and play against somebody else. We’re back to the grind and I think everyone is looking forward to it

– via Twitter Tjonesonthenba







Tony Jones: Simone Fontecchio: I’m still adjusting but I feel good on the court. I feel good shooting the ball so hopefully I feel better and better as time goes on
– via Twitter Tjonesonthenba

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https://saltcityhoops.com/the-absolu...-draft-pocket/

If they could’ve pushed themselves up to the luxury tax with players contributing as much as they were being paid while those young stars were still underpaid on rookie-scale contracts, they’d have hit championship contention level, but Jazz stuck right over the cap until Mike Conley’s extension, or really the Derrick Favors 2020 signing at the midlevel exception. Instead, they refused to commit until the season after Hayward left.

they were still trying to tank after Gobert made that futile until Haywar'd last season. Could have had Millsap, Gobert, McCollum and Hayward

The 2016-17 season had a salary cap of $99M and a tax of $119M, and the Jazz were paying Gobert and Hayward just $18M combined. That was just 15% of the tax. On average, players at or adding up to 15% of the tax will produce 10 extra wins, while Gobert and Hayward contributed roughly 23. That was the perfect moment to load up around them while their cheap contracts still offered flexibility to a team wanting to go all-in. That they didn’t is easily the biggest misstep in the Jazz’ rebuild. Instead, they were dead last in spending that year, with 15% of the cap available at the end of the season, which means they had room to buy another nine or so wins at market value.They should’ve not only paid in UFA, but they also didn’t make any trades to move up in contract value. Had they pushed the tax (they were at just 71% of the tax), they could’ve propelled the team to championship levels.

biggest misstep was letting their best player Millsap walk for a two year 16 million dollar deal. Demarre should have been kept as well. He walked for 2 years 4 mill

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Tony Jones: Udoka Azubuike will miss tomorrow’s preseason opener against the Raptors as he continues to come back from ankle surgery
– via Twitter Tjonesonthenba

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https://www.ksl.com/article/50487247...preseason-play

This season is likely less about wins and more about development. So do the Jazz give more time to Kessler, Agbaji, Fontecchio and Bolmaro? And what about Alexander-Walker, Butler or Azubuike — will they get a chance to see if they are NBA players?

they've already shown they are

Our guess for an initial rotation? Conley, Sexton, Markkanen, Vanderbilt and Olynyk as starters. Beasley, Clarkson, Gay, and a mixture of Alexander-Walker, Fontecchio, Agbaji, and Kessler, depending on matchups, coming off the bench. Feel free to ridicule us when we are very wrong.

I could see Conley backing up Sexton. Beasley at the 2. Lauri should be at the 4. The Italian at the 3. Vanderbilt off the bench

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That is likely why Azubuike said it was hard to put into words how important this preseason was for him. He isn't alone: Barring a trade, Azubuike, Lee, Butler, Alexander-Walker and potentially many more could be playing for their jobs.

let's hope Clarkson at least is gone soon!

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Conley/Beasley/Lauri/Vanderbilt/Olynyk started

Sexton/Clarkson/Nickeil/Gay/Kessler off the bench

Conley still their best player by far. Vanderbilt is in the mix for every board. Lauri very skilled. Clarkson was passing. Not sure if that is the coach or just pre season.

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Tony Jones: Relative to expectations, I thought Walker Kessler was the person I was most impressed with. He looks like a rookie who only needs experience in order to make a real impact. The skillset on both ends is already there. Had also heard he has played very well in camp

– via Twitter Tjonesonthenba

needs to get stronger

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3rd string > Butler/Horton Tucker/ Ochai/Simone/Zeller

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Horton Tucker looks fat

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https://www.ksl.com/article/50487602...ss-to-toronto-

Sexton not starting was a bit of an eye-brow raiser considering the contract he received from the Jazz. That said, a Conley-Sexton backcourt always projected to struggle defensive, so it makes sense Hardy didn't use it. The two guards never shared the court together on Sunday. Will that always be the case? Time will tell.

showcasing the vets to trade them

But that alone may have revealed some of Hardy's philosophy. The Jazz played with a lot of size, using lineups that featured multiple 7-footers and long wings.

No 6'4 PF?

There were some minor notables: Alexander-Walker got the time over Jared Butler and Ochai Agbaji, and Kessler was trusted with a fairly large role in his first bit of NBA action.

a vet. not many options at center with Udoka out

Saben Lee, Stanley Johnson, Leondro Bolmaro and Johnny Juzang were the only healthy players that didn't appear in Sunday's game. Juzang is on a two-way deal and Bolmaro is guaranteed at least through next season. Lee and Johnson's deals end after this season.

Johnson always seemed likely