{"id":154242,"date":"2025-08-26T00:17:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T04:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=154242"},"modified":"2025-10-12T19:02:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-12T23:02:33","slug":"jazz-3-burning-questions-heading-into-2025-26-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/08\/26\/jazz-3-burning-questions-heading-into-2025-26-season\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Burning Questions For Jazz Heading Into 2025-26 Season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Utah Jazz are heading into the 2025-26 season with a level of anticipation they didn\u2019t have at this time last year. It may be strange considering that they\u2019re expected to be a lottery team again. Yet, the not only have the opportunity to put themselves in position for a top prospect <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/08\/04\/albertie-2026-nba-lottery-mock-draft-v1\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">in the 2026 NBA Draft<\/a>, they get a chance to see how a few high upside players they already have will pan out.<\/p>\n<p>With that in mind, the Jazz have three burning questions as the summer comes to an end.<\/p>\n<h2>3 Burning Questions For Jazz Heading Into 2025-26 Season<\/h2>\n<h3>Boom Or Bust?<\/h3>\n<p>Thanks to former Rutgers forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/baileac01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ace Bailey<\/a>, the 2025 NBA Draft was more drama-filled than expected.<\/p>\n<p>In an attempt to shape his destiny, or perhaps just looking for the path of least resistance, the then 18-year-old <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/17\/workout-curveball-ace-baileys-unseen-moves-stir-speculation\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">refused to workout for any team<\/a> that didn\u2019t see him as a first-year starter. This not only made the outcome of the draft more unpredictable, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/17\/2025-nba-draft-curious-case-ace-bailey\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">it tainted the perception<\/a> of Bailey. After a somewhat underwhelming one-and-done campaign, he came off as headstrong and bratty.<\/p>\n<p>None of this deterred the Jazz from <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/08\/06\/3-reasons-why-utah-jazz-won-the-2025-nba-draft\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">drafting him fifth overall<\/a>. But was it the right move?<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ace Bailey Highlights \ud83c\udfa5 Scores 18 PTS in second career game | NBA Summer League\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8LemTAA_WJQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>In the Salt Lake City Summer League, Bailey averaged 13.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.5 blocks and 0.5 steals in 29.7 minutes per game. He shot just 37.0 percent from the field but 40.0 percent from 3. Truthfully, it was the tale of two cities, with Bailey\u2019s disastrous debut followed up by a promising performance.<\/p>\n<p>In a vacuum, Bailey\u2019s summertime showcase could be overlooked as it doesn\u2019t predict whether he\u2019ll be successful. However, him playing below expectations is beginning to be a trend. Just how long that continues to be the case is unclear.<\/p>\n<h3>Bounceback Season?<\/h3>\n<p>Speaking of boom or bust, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/markkla01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lauri Markkanen<\/a> has managed to shed the latter label since arriving in Utah.<\/p>\n<p>With the Chicago Bulls, who were his first team, his inconsistency led to them <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2021\/09\/07\/chicago-bulls-why-moving-on-from-lauri-markkanen-was-the-right-move\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">souring on his future<\/a> with the franchise. They then traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who not only were more <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/24\/cavs-jazz-showdown-repaints-donovan-mitchell-trade\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">appreciative of his attributes and contributions<\/a> but helped him become more impactful defensively. Still, when they got the opportunity to package Markkanen in a trade for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mitchdo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Donovan Mitchell<\/a>, they jumped on it.<\/p>\n<p>In Markkanen\u2019s time with the Jazz, he\u2019s emerged as the No. 1 option. Named a first-time All-Star in 2023, he\u2019s become one of the league\u2019s more respected players. He\u2019s also grown close to head coach Will Hardy, a welcome sign for a longtime partnership.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_142431\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-142431\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-142431\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_25785878_168402036_lowres-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (center) watches the game from the bench during the second half of the game against the Houston Rockets at Delta Center.\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_25785878_168402036_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_25785878_168402036_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_25785878_168402036_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_25785878_168402036_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_25785878_168402036_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/05\/USATSI_25785878_168402036_lowres.jpg 1452w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-142431\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mar 27, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (center) watches the game from the bench during the second half of the game against the Houston Rockets at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>However, an injury-riddled 2024-25 campaign has brought back bad memories. After averaging 24.5 points (on 39.5 percent shooting from 3) and 8.4 rebounds per game across 2022-23 and 2023-24, he averaged 19.0 points (on 34.6 percent shooting from 3) and 5.9 rebounds per game last season.<\/p>\n<p>If Markkanen is to get back on track, the first step is staying healthy. It\u2019s not easy to stay in rhythm when you\u2019re constantly in and out of the lineup. The next step is getting back to attacking the glass, playing like a man who didn\u2019t want to be called a bust anymore. Or just one that doesn\u2019t want <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/08\/19\/lauri-markkanen-pistons-what-rumored-trade-means\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">to be traded again<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>The Keyonte George Experiment<\/h3>\n<p>This offseason, Utah traded starting guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sextoco01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Collin Sexton<\/a> to the Charlotte Hornets and waived sixth man <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/clarkjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jordan Clarkson<\/a>. Clarkson, who won Sixth Man of the Year with the Jazz in 2021, has since <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/01\/knicks-set-to-land-jordan-clarkson-to-solve-bench-woes\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">been picked up by<\/a> the New York Knicks. With these changes, Utah has created ample opportunity for their young backcourt.<\/p>\n<p>After breaking Hall of Fame point guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/stockjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">John Stockton<\/a>\u2019s franchise <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/03\/31\/jazz-rookie-isaiah-collier-john-stockton-assist-record\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">rookie assist record<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/colliis01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Isaiah Collier<\/a> should be returning as their first unit floor general. 6-foot-2 guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/claytwa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Walter Clayton Jr.<\/a>, whom the Jazz drafted 18th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, could be his backup. However, all eyes will be on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/georgke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Keyonte George<\/a>, the 16th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Keyonte George&#8217;s Points Per Game and True Shooting % by month last year<\/p>\n<p>What stands out? <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1I2HCg1Dor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/1I2HCg1Dor<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JazzLead\/status\/1958333234120741308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 21, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The Jazz have given George every opportunity to take the reins. Unfortunately, his shooting touch isn\u2019t as soft as his confidence would suggest. Even worse is that he\u2019s trending towards being a negative asset on defense, constantly finding it difficult to keep his man in front. This all led to the Jazz starting <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/01\/27\/jazz-point-guard-decision\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">a rookie point guard over him<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In what could prove to be a pivotal third season, George should be pencilled in as the starting two-guard. Though he\u2019s typically played point guard, this allows him to be in his natural role of a score-first player. It could also aid him defensively, as he could encounter less screens while guarding players who aren\u2019t as quick or shifty. No matter what position he\u2019s playing though, Utah just needs him to be a sharper at both ends.<\/p>\n<p>Shooting 39.1 percent from the field isn\u2019t going to cut it. Shooting 33.9 percent from 3 isn\u2019t going to cut it. Nor is allowing teams to score no less than <a href=\"https:\/\/cleaningtheglass.com\/stats\/player\/5228\/onoff#tab-team_efficiency\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">120 points per 100 possessions<\/a> (h\/t Cleaning the Glass).<\/p>\n<p>\u00a9 Matt Blewett-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Utah Jazz are heading into the 2025-26 season with a level of anticipation they didn\u2019t have at this time last year. It may be strange considering that they\u2019re expected to be a lottery team again. Yet, the not only have the opportunity to put themselves in position for a top prospect in the 2026 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5008,"featured_media":156478,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[24,1608,62,556,1248,3],"tags":[49399,4665,926,98],"class_list":["post-154242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-jazz","category-basketball","category-nba","category-nba-draft","category-nba-season-previews","category-news","tag-ace-bailey","tag-keyonte-george","tag-lauri-markkanen","tag-nba-draft"],"modified_by":"Quenton S Albertie","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154242","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5008"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=154242"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154242\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":156479,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154242\/revisions\/156479"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/156478"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=154242"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=154242"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=154242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}