Utah Jazz: A Look at Training Camp Battles

With the preseason just around the corner, and the regular season beginning soon after, the Utah Jazz have some tough decisions to make in cutting the roster down to 15 players.

By opening day of the 2016-17 NBA season — tip-off is on the 25th of October — the Utah Jazz roster must only contain 15 players. As training camp gets underway, the Jazz currently have 20 players competing for those coveted 15 spots.

The Jazz have 14 players on guaranteed contracts; they are Alec Burks, Boris Diaw, Dante Exum, Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert, Gordon Hayward, George Hill, Rodney Hood, Joe Ingles, Joe Johnson, Trey Lyles, Shelvin Mack, Raul Neto and Joel Bolomboy whose contract suggests he will play a role with the Jazz next season.

Second-round draft pick Tyrone Wallace is not on the training camp roster, but will likely begin his professional career in the Jazz system with the Salt Lake City Stars. Fellow second-round pick Marcus Paige, along with Eric Dawson will probably end up there as well. From where I sit, they are the most unlikely players to make the cut.

This leaves you with the following roster battles.

Jeff Withey Vs. Henry Sims

Jeff Withey played in 51 games for the Jazz last season and logged some valuable starting minutes in the absence of Rudy Gobert. He didn’t have the inside presence that Gobert had, but he did manage to average one block in just 12.9 minutes per game. His name wasn’t called too often but when it was, he always put his best foot forward.

Henry Sims is a well-traveled big man that’s played 135 games on five different NBA teams. He’s an athletic big man that can really finish around the rim and shoot the jumper consistently out to around 18 feet from the basket.

Only one of these two players will likely make the cut and secure the 15th and final roster spot, but whoever does will have limited minutes with Favors, Gobert, Lyles, Diaw and Bolomboy ahead of them in the rotation up front.

Shelvin Mack Vs. Raul Neto

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Shelvin Mack joined the Jazz at the All-Star break, almost instantaneously became a starter and averaged 5.3 assists as a Jazzman. He moved from Atlanta partially because he was the third point guard, and that’s exactly what he will be in Utah behind Exum and Hill.

Meanwhile, Brazilian Raul Neto was thrown into the deep end in his rookie season, having to start against the world’s best players at the NBA strongest position on a nightly basis.

From the season’s outset, Neto’s full-court press and pesky defense caused some trouble against those unprepared for it, but he definitely struggled to contribute offensively beyond the occasional catch-and-shoot three.

Just before Mack stole that starting spot, Neto had begun to use his excellent ball handling skills to get to his spots on the floor and knock down more shots. I think if Neto had started for the remainder of last season, the Jazz would surely consider him the next best thing behind Exum and Hill.

As it stands, he’s likely the fourth point guard in a three-man rotation if he’s not moved.

Sep 26, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Chris Johnson (23) during Media Day at Zion Bank Basketball Center. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Chris Johnson Vs. Quincy Ford

While the final roster spot will likely go to a big man, these wings players may just have something to say about it.

I believe that any team can find time for a guy like Chris Johnson. He brings energy and hustle that helps you win games. Last season, he was huge in the victories against Chicago and Miami at home. With Trevor Booker now on the east coast, it could be CJ’s turn to inject Vivint Smart Home Arena with a shot of energy in short, two-minute spurts.

His shot could definitely use some work, but his scrappiness and active hands defensively could lead him to minutes next season.

Quincy Ford played some great basketball in his last season for Northeastern. He looked like he could turn into a really solid NBA player in years to come. When he got an opportunity to play for the Jazz in the summer league, he didn’t always look comfortable. Nevertheless, the coaching staff saw some things that they really liked and gave him another chance in training camp.

Overall, it’s my belief that the Jazz will have really good players at the back-end of the roster regardless of how these training camp battles play out.

As for the ones that don’t make the cut, most of them could benefit greatly from playing some games in the D-League.

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Statistics courtesy of Basketball Reference

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