Potential Starting Line-Up For Utah Jazz as NBA Season Officially Begins in Orlando

Utah Jazz is heading into the seeding games on the back of two scrimmage wins. They lost the first to the Phoenix Suns, but bounced back with wins against Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets. Despite it being a preseason game, the Jazz will definitely be boosted. Especially since they are about to play without their clutch performer and one of the best shooters in the league, Bojan Bogdanovic.

After suffering a wrist injury in May, he opted out of the Orlando bubble. In his absence, Royce O’Neale and Joe Ingles have to step up. With the rest of their starters healthy, this is how the Utah Jazz could lineup for the official games from July 30 onwards.

Point Guard: Mike Conley

After a dismal start to his career with the Jazz, Conley will be looking to improve. He arrived in a big trade in July 2019, and almost immediately, the Jazz backcourt was named among the best in the league. But Conley has failed to live up to those expectations. His defense and ball-handling will be key for the Jazz. He will be hoping to redeem himself with an improved showing in the playoffs.

Shooting Guard: Donovan Mitchell

Mitchell is the always first name on the Jazz teamsheet. Since arriving, he has not had a single season under 20 ppg and has consistently been a good scorer. The challenge for him now will be to replicate the regular season form into the postseason and step up for them in the big moments.

Small Forward: Joe Ingles

Ingles‘ most iconic moment in a Jazz shirt was during their 2018 First Round Playoff matchup against the OKC Thunder. Ingles left Paul George frustrated and eventually helped the Jazz to beat the Thunder 4-2. With Bogdanovic out, the Jazz need him to step up and replicate that form in the upcoming playoffs.

Power Forward: Royce O’Neale

After going undrafted in 2015, O’Neale was picked up by the Jazz in 2017. Since then, he’s been vital off the bench. Not only can he shoot from the perimeter, but he can also defend anyone from 1-4. In his third season now, it’s the first time he has started 50+ games, after having a combined 20 starts in his previous two seasons. His defense will be crucial for the Jazz when they hit the playoffs.

Center: Rudy Gobert

Few players will be as motivated as Gobert heading into the playoffs. After he contracted the coronavirus, which led to the NBA hiatus, he received a lot of hate. He will be on a mission to shut his haters up with doing what he’s best at- basketball. The Jazz will need him and Mitchell to keep aside any personal differences and perform as a unit if they want to have a shot at the title.

Sixth Man: Jordan Clarkson

Since arriving in December, Jordan Clarkson has been delivering power-packed performances off the bench. He has been averaging 15 points off 48% shooting. The Jazz will need him to replicate those performances when the big games arrive.

Utah Jazz will play its first seeding game against the New Orleans Pelicans on July 30th. Coach Quin Snyder will be expecting nothing short of a victory to begin their campaign in Orlando.

Sources:

Utah Jazz Roster and Stats