Three Bold Predictions One Month Out From Utah Jazz Camp

Aug 30, 2024, 4:12 PM

Follow @kslsports...

SALT LAKE CITY – With one month until the Utah Jazz report to training camp, what do we know about the team, and what predictions can we make for the 2024-25 campaign?

Jazz veterans will report to the team on September 30, with camp officially opening on October 1.

After that, it’s anybody’s guess what the starting lineup will look like, and how the Jazz will approach the season.

Related: Utah Jazz Announce Six-Game Preseason Schedule

Three Bold Predictions For 2024-25 Jazz Season

1. Collin Sexton Will Be A Most Improved Player Candidate

With a loaded backcourt in Utah, head coach Will Hardy will have a tough decision to make regarding who starts, where they play, and for how many minutes.

But, based on last year’s production, Collin Sexton should be the overwhelming favorite to see the floor early and often.

While Sexton may have gotten an artificial boost in touches with Lauri Markkanen missing all but four of the team’s final 21 games, the guard began to highlight his brilliance much earlier in the season.

Over his final 56 appearances (51 of them starts), Sexton averaged 21.2 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.6 rebounds while shooting a stellar 50 percent from the floor and 41 percent from three.

Over the last nine seasons, only the five players have matched those numbers for an entire season, and they all had significantly better supporting casts.

LeBron James
Kyrie Irving
Shai Gilgeous Alexander
Kevin Durant (4x)
Steph Curry

This isn’t to say Sexton should start writing his Hall of Fame speech, but his potential at just 25 years old warrants a real opportunity to prove he can be a major piece in the Jazz’s future.

Sexton may be dinged for his Most Improved Player candidacy if the Jazz struggle to win games, but if he bumps his points per game average back over 20 a night, he’ll generate real national media attention.

2. Jazz Will Win 25 Games Or Fewer This Season

Jazz fans have been waiting for the team to fully commit to a path since trading Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell in 2022, and this season, they’ll get a clearer picture of what the future holds.

After re-signing Lauri Markkanen to a four-year extension, some have wondered if the Jazz are too good to enter the race for Cooper Flagg, but this might be the least complete roster the team has fielded in more than a decade.

Markkanen and Sexton are high-level NBA starters, and both John Collins and Jordan Clarkson are proven rotation players.

After that… it gets pretty thin.

Where the Jazz have opened seasons with Mike Conley, Kelly Olynyk, Kris Dunn, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt over the last two years, those trusty veterans are gone, with first and second-year players standing in their place.

Svi Mykhailiuk, Patty Mills, and Drew Eubanks may earn some time as the Jazz youngsters find their footing, but matching the team’s 30-plus win total each of the last two seasons would take a minor miracle.

The Jazz won’t have the worst record in the NBA this season, but barring significant changes, they should be in the top half of the draft lottery next June.

3. Kyle Filipowski Is Jazz’s Most NBA-Ready Rookie

It shouldn’t be considered a burning hot take that the two-year college player who has tasted by far the most success on the court among his first-year counterparts will be the Jazz’s most NBA-ready rookie, and yet it seems Kyle Filipowski may be undervalued heading into the season.

Filipowski has a long way to go defensively, but his combination of size, experience, and skill should give him multiple routes to see the floor early in the Jazz season.

After struggling in the Salt Lake City Summer League, Filipowski showed his value in Vegas averaging 16.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 25 minutes per game.

He needs to cut down on his fouls and prove his 38 percent success rate from the three-point line in Vegas is sustainable, but his passing, playmaking, and athleticism are unique even among the Jazz’s more experienced players.

There is depth in the frontcourt with Markkanen, Collins, Eubanks, Taylor Hendricks, and Walker Kessler also vying for minutes, but the modern NBA is designed for players with Filipowski’s offensive skillset, and that should allow him to carve out a role during his rookie season.

Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports


Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.

KSL 5 TV Live

KSLSports Feed

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Eagles Deny Chiefs Super Bowl Three-Peat With Dominant Defense In 40-22 Rout

The Philadelphia Eagles’ ferocious defense denied Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs a Super Bowl three-peat.

12 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Taylor Swift Booed By Super Bowl Crowd As She Watches Travis Kelce, Chiefs

Taylor Swift was back at the Super Bowl to watch Travis Kelce and his Kansas City Chiefs play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

12 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Eagles Dominate First Half Of Super Bowl En Route To 24-0 Lead

The Philadelphia Eagles could do no wrong on either side of the ball in the first half of Super Bowl LIX as they soared to a 24-0 lead by halftime.

14 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Utah Hockey Club Forward Josh Doan Reassigned To Tucson Roadrunners

Utah is making some roster adjustments, reassigning Forward Josh Doan to the Tucson Roadrunners.

18 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

The Hat Trick: Karel Vejmelka Saves The Day For Utah Hockey Club In Shootout Victory Over Caps

Karel Vejmelka posted a shutout in a shootout as the Utah Hockey Club secured two critical points before the Four Nations break.

18 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Super Bowl Three-Peat Eluded All-Time Greats. Now Mahomes Takes His Shot

Kansas City is in the Super Bowl after winning the last two, which means the Chiefs have done what many others couldn't before them.

18 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Three Bold Predictions One Month Out From Utah Jazz Camp