Armed with a versatile roster and dynamic new core, Will Hardy gains the tactical flexibility to rotate specialized closers based on matchups and late-game situational needs.
The Utah Jazz have built a well-rounded roster over the past several seasons, primarily through organic development while also making an aggressive move at last season’s trade deadline to acquire Jaren Jackson Jr. to build out the frontcourt.
There’s now a clear core four in Utah with Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, Lauri Markkanen and Jackson. All four are likely to start, and they should also make up the foundation of Utah’s closing lineups throughout the season.
There may be debate about who deserves the fifth starting spot and what Will Hardy’s early-game rotations should look like, but what ultimately matters more is who finishes games.
Over the course of an 82-game season, closing well can legitimately swing a team’s record by multiple games. So many NBA games are decided by only a handful of possessions, which makes having multiple options late in games especially valuable.
That’s where the Jazz have an advantage.
Beyond their core four, Utah can flex its fifth closer depending on the matchup, game flow and what the team needs on a given night.
Ace Bailey gives the Jazz additional size, athleticism and scoring punch. Josh Green provides more of a two-way option who can space the floor while taking on difficult perimeter assignments defensively. Jusuf Nurkić could close against teams where rebounding and interior size become more important.
Isaiah Collier could even earn those opportunities when Utah needs another facilitator and distributor on the floor who can organize the offense and create quality looks for teammates.
That flexibility is a luxury.
Fans may spend the season debating who should start and close for the Jazz, but these are good problems for any team to have. Depending on what a particular matchup requires, Hardy will have a variety of five-man combinations at his disposal.
That becomes even more valuable if Utah reaches the postseason, where lineup flexibility and the ability to adjust from one matchup to another can become critical over the course of a seven-game series.
It also speaks to the overall quality and versatility of the roster Utah has built. The Jazz shouldn’t have to rely on one specific lineup to win every type of game. They can go bigger, smaller, more offensive or more defensive depending on what’s needed.
That’s another reason for optimism in Utah as the Jazz look to make one of the Western Conference’s biggest year-over-year jumps this season ahead.
