During Utah Jazz president of basketball operations Austin Ainge’s introductory press conference, he made one comment that stuck out above the rest. Asked about whether his new employer would continue its tanking strategy, the former Boston Celtics assistant general manager replied: “You won’t see that this year.” (h/t KSL Sports on X)
A once proud organization, the Jazz recognize that there’s still a lot of work to be done. Nevertheless, they’re ready to take off their training wheels. With that in mind, it may be wrong to assume that he’ll model the team after the Celtics but it’s an understandable belief. Not only did he work for them for 14 years but Boston is in the cream of the crop, even winning an NBA championship in 2024.
How The Jazz Can Take A(nother) Page Out The Celtics Book
If they do take a page out of the Celtics manual, here’s how the Jazz may look.
En Garde Guards
In the backcourt, the Celtics deploy a two-headed dog that can even be considered a three-headed monster.
The starter is none other than Derrick White, a two-time All-Defensive selection that’s evolved into an efficient outside shooter in Boston. Behind the 6-foot-4 two-way playmaker is Payton Pritchard, a 6-foot-1 spark plug who recently won Sixth Man of the Year honors. Then there’s the defensive-minded Jrue Holiday. Though it’s not the role he plays for the Celtics, the 6-foot-4 two-time All-Star has been the starting point guard for multiple teams.
The Jazz still have to decide who to start cat point guard.
Like White, Isaiah Collier is a former 29th overall pick in the draft. In 2024-25, the 6-foot-3 floor general broke Hall of Fame point guard John Stockton’s rookie record for single-season assists. He’s also a rugged on-ball defender. Given his two-end impact, he could be White-esque in Utah. However, he needs to get his 3-ball right after shooting 24.9 percent from 3 in 2024-25.
Prior to Collier’s arrival, 2023 No. 16 pick Keyonte George was favored as the franchise point guard. Yet, he’s a score-first player. Indeed, he may be suited to be a sixth man, as his skills are overridden by streakiness. To that point, Pritchard is a bit more efficient than him but they could play a similar role.
Collin Sexton would then seem to be their version of Holiday. Like the two-time champion, he’s more of a hybrid guard. While he has the height of a 1 at 6-foot-3, he doesn’t possess the natural passing ability of a pure point guard. His scoring punch is that of a 2-guard and he’s capable of scoring on and off ball. His defensive IQ isn’t as high as Holiday’s but he has the tools to be weaponized.
The Verdict
In sum, Collier needs to work on his jumper, George has to improve his efficiency and Sexton must step it up defensively. However, it’s still too early to say whether any of them can meet those objectives. The presence of 2021 Sixth Man of the Year, Jordan Clarkson, can’t be ignored either.
With that in mind, using their upcoming lottery pick on a guard could be foolhardy.
Nonetheless, among the 2025 NBA Draft class, Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe or Michigan State guard Jase Richardson could be a complementary addition. That’s even more true if one of the Jazz’s current guards gets traded. Between the two, Edgecombe’s a deadlier defender and Richardson a savvier shot-creator.
The best option would be a 3-and-D player who could play either both guard spots or both wing spots though. Thus, Dallas Mavericks free agent Dante Exum could be a worthwhile pickup. Alternately, the Jazz could explore avenues to signing free agents like Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Minnesota Timberwolves) or Quentin Grimes (Philadelphia 76ers) as well.
Waiting In The Wings
The most obvious difference between the Jazz and Celtics rosters is that the former doesn’t have a classic high-flying wing. Boston’s Jaylen Brown is that and more, especially after Jayson Tatum sustained a serious injury. Nevertheless, Utah’s rotation is devoid of that type of athlete.
In the 2025 NBA Draft, they could attempt to rectify that problem.
During the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, Texas wing Tre Johnson posted a 37.5-inch max vertical and completing the lane agility drill in 10.49 seconds. Washington State wing Cedric Coward, UNC wing Drake Powell and Arizona forward Carter Bryant are three potential draft risers who also have phenomenal physical traits. Notably, the entire quartet —Johnson, Coward, Powell and Bryant —carry the distinction of being among the best 3-point shooters in their draft class as well.
Can any of them be the Jazz’s version of Brown? After all, the four-time All-Star isn’t just an explosive athlete, he’s also their second option on offense and capable of being their first. At the defensive end, he’s arguably their most valuable asset.
The Verdict
Among their draft options, Johnson may have the highest ceiling, averaging 19.9 points per game as a true freshman. Coward, who averaged 17.7 points and 1.7 blocks per game last season, may have the most two-way potential. Then there’s Rutgers forward Ace Bailey. Though Bailey underwhelmed at the combine, he’s an eye-popping athlete on tape and averaged 17.6 points and 1.3 blocks per game as a true freshman.
If the Jazz hunt for an established talent, they could wind up perusing the trade market. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo are pipe dreams. However, players like Golden State Warriors restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga probably are not.
Frontcourt Foils
The Celtics frontcourt is what really unlocks their offense, as they have a bevy of high-level 3-point shooters.
Tatum is flanked by not only Kristaps Porzingis, a one-time All-Star, but Sam Hauser and Al Horford as well. That isn’t to say that all of Boston’s valuable frontcourt players are top-notch snipers, with Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta coming to mind. However, their ability to run a five-out offense throughout a game is one reason their offensive rating has been in the top-three each of the past three seasons.
This is the area where Utah has the most in common with Boston.
7-foot-0 forward Lauri Markkanen has exorcised his demons to become a highly respected 3-point shooter. John Collins, a 6-foot-9 forward-center, is a career 36.3 percent 3-point shooter. In his promising rookie campaign, fellow big man Kyle Filipowski nailed 35.0 percent of his 3. Then there’s Brice Sensabaugh, a 6-foot-6 forward that shot a sparkling 42.2 percent from 3 in 2024-25.
There is a question is where this leaves Walker Kessler, a traditional center who holds solid trade value. However, the Jazz should consider trading Markkanen too. While his reputation has done an about face, he’s coming off a lackluster season and doesn’t possess the playmaking ability of first options like Tatum. One such option in a Markkanen trade is Sixers swingman Paul George, the injury-prone nine-time All-Star.
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