No brainer imo. You have to play the guy who can shoot. Keyonte only got benched because he takes bad shots and is terrible on D, so of Clayton can be better in both those areas while being able to shoot, he probably plays more.
Game Thread Jul 08, 2025 07:00pm: Thunder Vs Jazz (Summer League)
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Added to Calendar: 07-08-25
I think it's a near lock at this point.
Infinitely better shooter and the team plays better with him on the floor.
The only thing that would make me say Collier over Clayton is if Collier can start playing D more like Harkless and really dog into people
homeytennis
Well-Known Member
Based on their D tonight Harkless and Springer deserve to be at the adult table but there really isn't any room.
underdog
Well-Known Member
How was Clayton from your view? He looks like a gamer.
Basketball Novice
Well-Known Member
Man, I agree with you, but you just might lose Collier completely if you start a rookie over him. Then again, that's just basketball. He should have played better if he wanted to secure his starting spot. Regardless, I don't think Hardy has the fortitude to bench Collier and start WCJ from the jump.
//r00t 4 Jazz
Well-Known Member
WCJ's handle is going to keep him from starting, atleast to start the season and barring injuries.
But Collier, for me, had the most disappointing SLC Summer league. Felt like he was in his own head way too much.
Thankfully there's still the Vegas summer league.
But Collier, for me, had the most disappointing SLC Summer league. Felt like he was in his own head way too much.
Thankfully there's still the Vegas summer league.
I'll admit that I haven't watched yet and was only able to glance at the box score occasionally, but it's a little hard for me to see how Clayton gets so much love after finishing with starters' low +/- and a 5 for 14 shooting night (at one time, it was 2 for 11, wasn't it?). He finished with same number of turnovers and fewer assists than Collier.
I could be totally misguided since I didn't actually see this game yet (though I've seen the other two). I like some things about Clayton, but he's not shown me that he's great against pressure at this point and generally his shot hasn't gone in at a good rate (yet). He seems to be at best a game manager type at PG, with upside as a great shooting game manager. And while I like his effort on defense, he's clearly small. All this is perfectly fine for a #18 pick. But I don't see the clear starting PG of the future (or even necessarily this coming season) for the Jazz.
I could be totally misguided since I didn't actually see this game yet (though I've seen the other two). I like some things about Clayton, but he's not shown me that he's great against pressure at this point and generally his shot hasn't gone in at a good rate (yet). He seems to be at best a game manager type at PG, with upside as a great shooting game manager. And while I like his effort on defense, he's clearly small. All this is perfectly fine for a #18 pick. But I don't see the clear starting PG of the future (or even necessarily this coming season) for the Jazz.
If he checks out - whatever. He's not the long-term answer at PG anyways. At that point he has to decide to be a pro, lock in, and go earn a second contract somewhere if it's not in Utah.
No bias against him. I'm a USC alum and was pumped as hell when he came in. But he was the #1 prospect in just a bizarrely bad HS class and went #29 in an equally bad draft class for a clear reason.
He's also still so young, which we have to remember. WCJ may be a rookie, but he's 22, a 4-year college guy, and was the clear-cut alpha dog on the team that won it all last March. In terms of maturity he may be more of a "pro" than Collier or even Keyonte at this point.
I think a "great shooting game manager" is exactly who he is.
I wouldn't worry about the shooting. His stroke is pure butter.
I worry a bit, until he proves me wrong, just because of his size. It's not clear that he'll be able to get his shots against NBA defenders.
The Jazz Wonderbra
Well-Known Member
I havent been seeing Harkless as a difference maker but ai focused in on him on D and I have to concur. He earned a spot imho.
Walter Clayton Jr reminds me a bit of Scottie Pippen Jr from last summer league.
Walter Clayton Jr reminds me a bit of Scottie Pippen Jr from last summer league.