The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz Summer League Team Built For Thrills

By Ryan Aston

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Oct 29, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) warms up prior to the game against the Houston Rockets at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

The 1972 Los Angeles Lakers. The 1996 Chicago Bulls. The Dream Team that took the 1992 Olympics and the basketball world by storm. These are the squads that have gone down as the greatest in hardwood history.

Now, another team is poised to join their ranks as one of the elite units in the annals of the NBA. The 2015 Utah Jazz Summer League squad.

Okay, so historic probably isn’t the best adjective to describe Utah’s summer league offering. Still, the inclusion of so many NBA-level players, headlined by stars on the rise like Dante Exum and Rodney Hood, should be more than enough to thrill any Jazz fan.

Moreover, it seems that fans will be treated to the return of one of the most astounding and controversial figures in all of sports. A man whose star shines so brightly that his hardwood exploits dwarf those of any and all to share a court with him.

Of course I’m talking about Aussie superstar Brock Motum.

In all seriousness, this year’s NBA Summer League experience will be one that Jazz fans won’t want to miss. Exum and Hood have both been putting in major work throughout the summer and look to take their games to the next level in 2015-16. Their summer league exploits could offer us a glimpse of the growth to come.

The Utah Jazz Summer League will also provide fans with a first look at 2015 draftees Trey Lyles and Olivier Hanlan. With the team committed to their growth from within approach, the duo may go down as the only major additions for the franchise this offseason. Summer play could provide clues on how the team plans to integrate them into the main roster.

Of personal interest to yours truly is the inclusion of Nick Wiggins. The Idaho Stampede forward is the older brother of 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins and has an intriguing skill set of his own. While he is a longshot to land a spot with the Jazz, an NBA tour is far from out of the questions for Wiggins.

Also on the roster are Jazzmen Jack Cooley, Bryce Cotton, Grant Jerrett and Chris Johnson. Despite spending time with the Jazz last season, it’s not a given that any of these players will be back with the team next year. Each impressed in their own way on the big stage, but will undoubtedly be looking to make statements in summer league and solidify their spots.

So while these may just be glorified scrimmages and the Jazz are a team that already has a core in place, the team the Jazz are fielding should give fans a lot to watch for.

Thrilling may be something of an overstatement, but the Utah Jazz Summer League squad is loaded with interesting talent. The team’s performance could also have major implications for both the franchise and the players involved.

It’s not quite a team for the ages, but for summer league ball–it should be one of the more exciting teams we’ve seen.

Next: Is Igor Kokoskov Utah's Big Summer Addition?

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