3 Burning Questions For Jazz Heading Into 2025-26 Season

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’s disastrous debut followed up by a promising performance.

In a vacuum, Bailey’s summertime showcase could be overlooked as it doesn’t predict whether he’ll be successful. However, him playing below expectations is beginning to be a trend. Just how long that continues to be the case is unclear.

Bounceback Season?

Speaking of boom or bust, Lauri Markkanen has managed to shed the latter label since arriving in Utah.

With the Chicago Bulls, who were his first team, his inconsistency led to them souring on his future with the franchise. They then traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who not only were more appreciative of his attributes and contributions but helped him become more impactful defensively. Still, when they got the opportunity to package Markkanen in a trade for Donovan Mitchell, they jumped on it.

In Markkanen’s time with the Jazz, he’s emerged as the No. 1 option. Named a first-time All-Star in 2023, he’s become one of the league’s more respected players. He’s also grown close to head coach Will Hardy, a welcome sign for a longtime partnership.

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.

If Markkanen is to get back on track, the first step is staying healthy. It’s not easy to stay in rhythm when you’re constantly in and out of the lineup. The next step is getting back to attacking the glass, playing like a man who didn’t want to be called a bust anymore. Or just one that doesn’t want to be traded again.

The Keyonte George Experiment

This offseason, Utah traded starting guard Collin Sexton to the Charlotte Hornets and waived sixth man Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson, who won Sixth Man of the Year with the Jazz in 2021, has since been picked up by the New York Knicks. With these changes, Utah has created ample opportunity for their young backcourt.

After breaking Hall of Fame point guard John Stockton’s franchise rookie assist record, Isaiah Collier should be returning as their first unit floor general. 6-foot-2 guard Walter Clayton Jr., whom the Jazz drafted 18th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, could be his backup. However, all eyes will be on Keyonte George, the 16th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

The Jazz have given George every opportunity to take the reins. Unfortunately, his shooting touch isn’t as soft as his confidence would suggest. Even worse is that he’s 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 rookie point guard over him.

In what could prove to be a pivotal third season, George should be pencilled in as the starting two-guard. Though he’s 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’t as quick or shifty. No matter what position he’s playing though, Utah just needs him to be a sharper at both ends.

Shooting 39.1 percent from the field isn’t going to cut it. Shooting 33.9 percent from 3 isn’t going to cut it. Nor is allowing teams to score no less than 120 points per 100 possessions (h/t Cleaning the Glass).