Yes, good point. It's both guards.
Something to consider is that Hardy has theoretically been given the green light to go win games. Will that affect his rotations this year?
Training Camp 2025
- Thread starter nateboz
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Something to consider is that Hardy has theoretically been given the green light to go win games. Will that affect his rotations this year?
I think the main thing we'll see is more games minutes for Lauri/Kessler, especially at the beginning. The next thing would be minutes for the other vets. I think Nurk/Niang/Anderson are going to be better winning players than a lot of our young guys, but I still think Hardy will strike a balance between development minutes and trying to win as much as possible. They'll get some minutes, but not as many as they could if Hardy was strictly trying to win.
Nurk/Niang/Anderson could push Cody/TH into the GLeague at the beginning tbh.
Clayton
Ace
Lauri
Flip
Walker
I think that's the Day 1 starting 5.
Ace
Lauri
Flip
Walker
I think that's the Day 1 starting 5.
If Hardy is trying to win games he might also limit Ace's role/minutes.
I do agree though that Hardy knows where we are at as a franchise and while he might not have a strict mandate to give anyone minutes, he'll still likely be giving lots of development minutes.
My guess would be:
Collier
Keyonte
Ace
Lauri
Walker
It will be interesting to see if Keyonte gets another chance to prove he can be a starter.
** Keyonte and Brice showing some focus and interest in playing defense.
** What does Hendricks look like/how close is he to playing?
** Can Ace play significant minutes?
** What are the Jazz doing with Kyle Andersen and Kevin Love?
If I was Hardy and trying to win games I might go with:
- Keyonte (assuming/hoping he takes a 3rd year jump)
- Harkless
- Anderson
- Lauri
- Kessler
...
...
Actually that lineup isn't great. I'm not sure it's possible to create a well rounded defensive/offensive lineup with our team. I guess that's why we won't win many games.
- Keyonte (assuming/hoping he takes a 3rd year jump)
- Harkless
- Anderson
- Lauri
- Kessler
...
...
Actually that lineup isn't great. I'm not sure it's possible to create a well rounded defensive/offensive lineup with our team. I guess that's why we won't win many games.
Does Love even make it to camp is another question. I was under the impression that when we signed him he would be cut before camp.
I do think Flip might be the most ready of our rookie contract guys to play meaningful NBA minutes, but I'm not sure you can play him and Lauri together defensively? I wonder if Lauri is at the point where he is only really capable of defending 4's and I don't think Flip can guard anyone right now.
Yeah, maybe its Taylor instead of Flip if he's ready to go, but Flip gives the team playmaking and spacing. Defense is going to be an issue no matter who you put on the court.
I would say my locked in 4 are Ace/Clayton/Lauri/Walker and then its a tossup between Brice/Flip/Hendricks.
I don't have Clayton Jr as a lock. I need to see more.
I also don't think Ace is a lock, but it would be disappointing if he isn't starting by some point this year.
I think Clayton is kind of a lock, at least he would be for me. They traded up to get him in a good draft and he's older than Key or Collier. He's also a far better shooter than either of them and is the guy who most helps the starters.