Jazz's Keyonte George Faces New Challenge as Offensive Leader

Keyonte George spent last season proving he could carry the Utah Jazz offensively.

Now, with a new contract and a much stronger supporting cast, he's being asked to do something that might be even more difficult.

Make everyone else better.

The 22-year-old finished with 19 points and 10 assists in Utah's 120–119 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, helping the Jazz survive a late scare to secure their first win of the season.

An encouraging performance, certainly … but one that also illustrated the challenges awaiting George as Utah's new-look offense continues to take shape.

George averaged a career-high 23.6 points and 6.1 assists last season, establishing himself as one of the league's more productive young guards.

Those numbers helped earn him a five-year, $157.5 million extension in September — a significant investment in a player Utah believes can help lead its next competitive team.

And with the talent surrounding him, expectations have changed.

Jaren Jackson Jr. finished Friday with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Lauri Markkanen contributed 16 points, while rookie Darryn Peterson added 15 and Jaxson Hayes provided another 17 off the bench.

George has more options than ever before.

The question now is how effectively he can use them.

Against New Orleans, the Jazz recorded 31 assists, an improvement over the 25 they managed in Wednesday's season-opening loss to Memphis.

George accounted for 10 of those assists, while Isaiah Collier contributed another seven.

Seventeen assists from Utah's two young guards … and an encouraging indication of the offensive opportunities available when the basketball is moving.

But increased responsibility comes with greater scrutiny.

George also committed six turnovers Friday, accounting for one-third of Utah's 18 giveaways. Collier added two more as the Jazz surrendered possession 18 times for the second consecutive game.

It's a frustrating contradiction.

George is creating opportunities for his teammates, but his turnovers show that the decision-making required to direct an offense is still a work in progress.

And Friday offered a particularly costly example.

With Utah leading 118–115 and 1:35 remaining, George lost the basketball to Zion Williamson, who raced downcourt for a dunk. After George missed a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, Dejounte Murray put New Orleans ahead with just over a minute remaining.

Two possessions … and Utah's three-point advantage had disappeared.

Fortunately, Peterson converted the go-ahead free throws before George drew a charge on Williamson with 35 seconds remaining, helping the Jazz escape with the victory.

The sequence captured both the growing pains and the value George continues to provide.

His mistakes helped put Utah in a difficult position, but he still found a way to contribute when the Jazz needed a stop.

George has already proven he can score at a high level. Utah rewarded that development with a $157.5 million commitment, and with Jackson, Markkanen and Peterson surrounding him, there's more talent at his disposal than ever before.

But that changes the expectations, too.

During the rebuild, George could afford to take risks, force difficult shots and learn from possessions that went nowhere. Utah was still figuring out what kind of player he could become.

Now the Jazz have a much clearer idea … and they're counting on him to take the next step.

Ten assists against New Orleans showed what George can do when he's creating opportunities for others. Six turnovers showed how much room remains between being a productive playmaker and becoming the player who controls an entire offense.

And Friday's closing minutes illustrated that difference better than any stat line could.

George's turnover helped New Orleans erase Utah's late advantage. Moments later, his defense helped preserve the victory — two plays that captured both the responsibility on his shoulders and the impact he's capable of making.

The Jazz have spent years accumulating talent, searching for players worth building around. Now they've committed to George and assembled an offense with enough weapons to make some noise.

The excuses that come with an inexperienced supporting cast are disappearing.

Utah has given George more help, more responsibility and $157.5 million worth of confidence in his future.

At some point, that investment has to translate into more control when games are hanging in the balance.

And Friday showed exactly why that next step matters.