Here are our player scouting reports and 2015-16 projections for the Utah Jazz.
Projected starters
Trey Burke
Position: Guard
Experience: 2 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Shoot-first point guard who hasn't shot accurately enough to justify that style in NBA
+ Good pick-and-roll player in college who has struggled to finish over bigger defenders
+ Slight frame makes it difficult for him to compete defensively
Analysis
After a rookie season that was disappointing but hardly damning, Burke failed to progress in year two. At midseason, he lost his starting job to 2014 lottery pick Dante Exum, seemingly for good. But Exum's ACL injury this summer has given Burke -- who won't turn 23 until November -- another chance to prove he's part of the Jazz's future.
One of the nation's top offensive point guards in two years at Michigan, Burke has failed to translate those skills to the NBA. The first problem is that Burke has been unable to finish when he's gotten to the rim. He's shot 50.4 percent within 3 feet, per Basketball-Reference.com, putting him in the league's bottom 10 among players with at least 100 attempts in the past four seasons. Burke hasn't been able to compensate by driving to set up teammates; his assist rate fell last season from 6.3 assists per 36 minutes to 5.4, too low for a point guard.
One possible solution is playing Burke more off the ball alongside wings such as Alec Burks and Gordon Hayward who can create offensively. Alas, Burke hasn't been effective as a spot-up shooter either, making 32.4 percent of his 3-point attempts. He put up bigger numbers as a reserve last season, but that was largely because his usage rate spiked to 27.2 percent of Utah's plays. That kind of usage doesn't make sense when Burke plays with the starting five.
Burke needs to improve offensively because he's unlikely to be even a league-average defender. A wispy 6-foot-1, Burke just isn't big enough to serve as a deterrent against most point guards, since he's an unexceptional athlete. Given how late many point guards develop, it's not yet time to write off Burke's career. Taking a step forward this season is a must, however.
Alec Burks
Position: Guard
Experience: 4 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Combo guard who provides relatively little floor spacing; more effective with the ball in his hands
+ Traditionally a good finisher, nicknamed "Houdini" by Jazz broadcaster Craig Bolerjack but declined last season
+ Good size for a shooting guard. Occasionally makes bad gambles on defense
Analysis
During 2014 training camp, Utah locked up Burks with a four-year, $41 million extension. While that money certainly looks reasonable as the NBA's salary-cap rises, Burks' hold on a starting job appears more tenuous after the Jazz surged in the second half without him. Burks missed the last four months of the season because of shoulder surgery after trying to play through inflammation in his left shoulder.
In some ways, Burks fits better in Utah's newfound style of play. The Jazz moved to having their wings initiate more offense, and that's perfect for Burks, never a traditional shooting guard. His career-high 38.2 percent shooting from 3-point range last season came on just 68 attempts; Burks' 35.6 percent career mark is more telling. He's better off attacking the basket off the dribble.
Historically, Burks has been an excellent finisher. He shot 63.7 percent within 3 feet during his first three seasons, per Basketball-Reference.com. That unexpectedly dropped to 50.6 percent last season. As tempting as it is to blame the decline on Burks' shoulder injury, he actually finished better while playing through pain in December than in the month of November. It's probably statistical noise.
The tools are there for Burks to be a good defender. He's an athletic 6-foot-6, giving him a physical advantage most nights. He needs to commit to the defensive end and avoid taking bad risks in pursuit of steals. Burks might see more time defending point guards this season if Quin Snyder tries out lineups without a traditional point guard on the floor.
Gordon Hayward
Position: Forward
Experience: 5 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Multitalented wing player who grew into leading offensive role last season
+ Excellent ballhandler for a wing. De facto point guard at times. Gets to the free throw line regularly
+ Underrated cog in the Jazz's stout second-half defense; good at defending smaller players
Analysis
It's hard to believe now that a year ago there was debate over whether it made sense for Utah to match the Charlotte Hornets' four-year, $62 million offer sheet to Hayward. Beyond the growth in the cap that has made Hayward's salary look paltry, his game has grown, too. Hayward emerged last season as the Jazz's go-to player and one of the league's best all-around wings, at age 25.
The key to Hayward's development was shot creation. In addition to pushing his usage from 23.1 percent of Utah's plays to 26.2 percent, Hayward was assisted less frequently (43.8 percent of his field goals, down from 50 percent per NBA.com/Stats). Yet Hayward was more efficient as a scorer. He played with great confidence and proved adept at scoring off the dribble. As a result, Quin Snyder turned over the offense to Hayward, using him effectively as a point guard alongside Dante Exum. According to SportVU tracking on NBA.com/Stats, Hayward had the seventh-highest time of possession among non-point guards. Besides creating his own shots, Hayward handed out 4.3 assists per 36 minutes.
Hayward is also an above-average wing defender. While his wingspan measured a modest 6-foot-7¾ at the NBA draft combine, Hayward seems to swallow up smaller players with his length. He can hold his own against bigger opponents. And last season, Hayward managed to put LeBron James on the receiving end of his trademark chase-down blocks in transition.
Derrick Favors
Position: Forward
Experience: 5 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Ability to play either frontcourt spot helped the Jazz integrate Rudy Gobert into the starting lineup
+ Good pick-and-roll player who uses his quickness to create plays on short rolls; OK post scorer
+ Versatile defender and capable shot-blocker who also excels at stopping pick-and-roll
Analysis
He might not score like Gordon Hayward or make highlight plays on defense like Rudy Gobert, but don't overlook Favors' important role among the three young frontcourt players who make up the Jazz's core. Two-way ability gives Favors, still just 24, All-Star potential.
One of last season's big storylines in Salt Lake City was whether Favors and Gobert could coexist offensively. Though Favors wasn't quite as effective playing with a traditional big man, the advantages on defense outweighed the offensive decline. Favors is just enough of a threat from the perimeter -- he shot 37.7 percent from beyond 10 feet, per Basketball-Reference.com -- to space the floor. He's improved as a pick-and-roll player, adding the ability to catch the ball at the free throw line on a short roll and get to the basket off the dribble. Utah also uses Favors in the post regularly. He has a good left hand but is not a high-percentage post scorer overall.
Favors is better at the defensive end, where he and Gobert formed a stingy frontcourt pair. Favors is a good enough shot-blocker to hold his own at center when Gobert is on the bench. Among players who defended at least five attempts per game within 5 feet, per SportVU tracking on NBA.com/Stats, the 43.8 percent shooting Favors allowed ranked fifth. It's possible that's the Gobert effect, however, since Favors was only average as a rim protector in 2013-14. He's been more consistently strong at deterring pick-and-rolls with his mobility, a skill that took center stage while playing with Gobert.
Rudy Gobert
Position: Center
Experience: 2 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Long-armed center who broke through as defensive superstar in second season
+ Growing offensive player who tried to do more last season. High-percentage finisher. Major offensive rebounder
+ League's premier shot blocker. Surprisingly agile for his size. Length makes him tough to score against one-on-one
Analysis
If the measure of a player is the number of nicknames they inspire, Rudy Gobert -- aka the Stifle Tower, the French Rejection and many more -- is already a superstar. More advanced statistics also point to Gobert's value. In his second season, the 23-year-old center averaged 10.6 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks during his 37 starts and helped the Jazz lead the league in defensive rating after the All-Star break.
The key to Gobert's success is his wingspan, measured at a record 7-foot-8½ at the NBA draft combine. Gobert's freakishly long arms allow him to contest and block shots without leaving his feet. If anything, his league-leading block rate undersells Gobert's defensive presence. Opponents shot a league-low 40.4 percent against him inside 5 feet (what Utah radio broadcaster David Locke calls Gobert-Land), according to SportVU tracking on NBA.com/Stats. As the scouting report got out late in the season, more teams had success pump-faking him in the paint. But overall, Gobert did a remarkable job of avoiding fouls, committing just 2.9 per 36 minutes. Only Anthony Davis had a better ratio of blocks to fouls. Staying down also helps Gobert control the defensive glass. And in addition to shot-blocking, his length makes Gobert a good one-on-one defender in the post.
Gobert's development into a dominant defender was probably inevitable. His growth offensively was a bit more surprising. A turnover waiting to happen as a rookie, Gobert grew more comfortable and confident in Year 2, trying to make plays off the dribble and passes in traffic. At times, he did too much, but the willingness to experiment bodes well for Gobert's future, especially playing with another traditional big man in Derrick Favors. Because of his size, Gobert is basically automatic around the basket. He was able to generate those opportunities off the pick-and-roll, as well as via second chances. Gobert's 14.3 percent offensive rebound rate ranked sixth among players who saw at least 1,000 minutes of action.
Reserves
Trevor Booker
Position: Forward
Experience: 5 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Undersized power forward who added 3-point dimension to his game last season with decent results
+ Excellent finisher around the basket, but midrange shooting suffered with focus on 3-pointer
+ Smart defender who is limited physically; average rebounder at best
Analysis
The Jazz signed Booker to a two-year, $9.8 million in the summer of 2014 to serve as their third big man. After a solid first season in Salt Lake City, the team guaranteed Booker's 2015-16 salary rather than waiving him to clear additional cap space. Quin Snyder asked Booker to add the 3-pointer to his game. He'd made just one in 10 attempts during his four seasons in Washington, but Booker made 29 last year at a respectable 34.5 percent clip. Four of those came in an April game when Booker torched the Portland Trail Blazers for a career-high 36 points.
Previously a good midrange shooter, Booker struggled when he did take a step inside the 3-point line last season, making just 29.0 percent of his 2-point attempts beyond 16 feet, according to Basketball-Reference.com. Utah would rather have Booker shooting from 3-point range or around the rim anyway. He's a crafty finisher who has shot 71.5 percent inside 3 feet in his career. Booker is also a good big-to-big passer from the high post and a willing ballhandler -- occasionally too willing.
Defensive shortcomings make Booker more effective as a reserve. He's an intelligent, hard-working defender who simply has a hard time keeping up physically at 6-foot-7. Fortunately, the Jazz's pair of rim protectors means Booker is almost always on the court with a good defensive center.
Rodney Hood
Position: Guard
Experience: 1 year
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Versatile southpaw swingman who came into his own during the second half of his rookie season
+ Good 3-point shooter who excelled running the pick-and-roll as secondary ballhandler; will find teammates
+ Big enough to defend either wing spot; steal rate improved slightly from college
Analysis
Like Utah as a team, Hood came on after last year's All-Star break. After battling midseason inflammation in his foot, Hood started 16 of the 26 games he played after the break, averaging 17.6 points per 36 minutes on 42 percent 3-point shooting. That might set the bar a bit high for Hood's sophomore campaign, given second-half improvement typically is not more predictive than a player's overall performance.
The upside is Hood certainly has the skills to make his late-season play sustainable. He was a 42 percent 3-point shooter in his lone season at Duke, so the 28.6 percent Hood shot beyond the arc before the break was probably fluky in its own right. Hood also proved an accurate shooter from midrange off the bounce. Part of his success was tied to handling the ball more. He's a polished pick-and-roll ballhandler for a wing who gets where he wants on the court using either hand. And Hood showed the ability to make plays for others, handing out 2.8 assists per 36 minutes with an assist-to-turnover ratio near 2 to 1.
For a shooting guard -- where he played the majority of his minutes, depending where you categorize him and fellow wing Joe Ingles -- Hood has excellent size at 6-foot-8. He was a relatively quick study as an individual defender and actually managed to improve the poor steal rate he posted in college, though he still generated fewer steals than the average wing player.
Joe Ingles
Position: Forward
Experience: 1 year
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Tough Australian wing who provided valuable minutes and playmaking for the Jazz as an NBA rookie
+ Average 3-point shooter; generally gets where he wants on the court despite below-average athleticism
+ Physical defender who frustrated opponents at times; doesn't mind contact and often seeks it out
Analysis
The L.A. Clippers went to the trouble of bringing Ingles over from Europe for his first NBA training camp at age 27 only to make him their final cut in favor of Jared Cunningham last year. Claimed off waivers by the Jazz, Ingles started 32 games and played nearly 1,700 minutes. Cunningham logged 89 minutes for the Clippers before being traded midseason and waived. Whoops. Over the summer, Ingles signed a new two-year, $4.5 million deal to stay in Utah.
A stocky 6-foot-8, the awkward Ingles doesn't look much like an NBA player. He demonstrated plenty of NBA skill, however, serving as a playmaker for the Jazz to help take some of the load off rookie point guard Dante Exum. Nicknamed "Slow-Mo Joe" by the Utah broadcast team, Ingles manages to get where he wants on the court by going almost exclusively left, though he rarely got all the way to the basket. He proved capable of driving and dishing, handing out 3.9 assists per 36 minutes, and is also a good enough outside shooter (35.6 percent from 3-point range) to space the floor.
As you'd expect of someone who played Australian rules football growing up, Ingles doesn't shy away from contact, and his relentlessly physical style can be frustrating for opponents. Ingles chases through screens, helping him compensate for relatively limited lateral mobility, and will strip the ball if opposing players leave it unprotected.
Raul Neto
Position: Guard
Experience: Rookie
2013 draft profile
Scouting report
+ Pick-and-roll point guard who played in Spain last year; best playmaker on Jazz
+ Below-average outside shooter who might struggle to score efficiently
+ Unlikely to be a plus defender because of his size but has good steal rate
Analysis
The Jazz brought over 2013 second-round pick Raul Neto (better known as Raulzinho, in the tradition of his native Brazil) this summer from Spain, where he had been starting for Murcia, on a three-year contract worth nearly $3 million. Neto's timetable for contributing in Utah accelerated with Dante Exum's injury, and he now figures to be the team's backup point guard this season if not even push Trey Burke for the starting spot.
Neto brings a different style than the Jazz's incumbent point guards. He specializes in running the pick-and-roll and tends to look for the pass rather than his own shot. Neto likes to sling the ball one-handed across the court, sort of like a second baseman throwing the ball to first base. His preference for passing is good because Neto is unlikely to score efficiently in the NBA. He shot just 20.5 percent from 3-point range last season and is at 29.6 percent for the previous four years. Neto is a creative finisher, which will be necessary against bigger defenders.
A skinny 6-foot-1, Neto will be giving up size to many opposing point guards. To his credit, he does a nice job navigating screens to avoid getting picked off and works to keep players in front of him. Quick hands help Neto come up with steals on a regular basis.
Tibor Pleiss
Position: Center
Experience: Rookie
2010 draft profile
Scouting report
+ Giant German center who has good shooting touch from the perimeter
+ High-percentage finisher near basket and strong offensive rebounder
+ Reasonably mobile, but only an average shot blocker despite size
Analysis
Originally drafted with the first pick of the second round in 2010 -- termed the "international lottery" by ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla -- the 7-foot-3 Pleiss saw his rights traded from Oklahoma City to Utah as part of the return for Enes Kanter. That gave the Jazz both of FC Barcelona's centers, since Pleiss backed up 2008 Utah second-round pick Ante Tomic. With Tomic re-signing in Spain, the Jazz brought Pleiss over on a three-year contract worth up to $9 million. He'll see playing time as a backup center.
Strictly a role player on offense, Pleiss stretches the floor a little bit. He was effective around the free throw line, albeit with a slow release, and might be able to add NBA 3-point range. He's a good free throw shooter for a center.
Closer to the basket, Pleiss does a nice job of getting open under the basket on duck-ins from the baseline. He can also catch the ball on the move off pick-and-rolls and is a presence on the offensive glass because of his size.
Pleiss was asked to hedge and recover against pick-and-rolls by Barcelona and held his own, a promising sign for his mobility. Utah will surely keep Pleiss closer to the basket to take advantage of his size. Pleiss is only an average shot blocker in large part because he generally doesn't leave his feet to block shots. Still, his sheer size and long arms (which earned Pleiss the nickname "Octopus") should make him an effective deterrent around the rim. Pleiss does tend to foul frequently.
Trey Lyles
Position: Forward
Experience: Rookie
2015 draft profile
Scouting report
+ Skilled post player who started at small forward for Kentucky because of injuries
+ Capable midrange shooter who could eventually be a stretch 4; comfortable handling the ball
+ Good lateral quickness, but tough to assess his defensive capabilities as a post player
Analysis
The Jazz made Lyles the 12th overall pick, ensuring their continued monopoly on NBA players named "Trey." No player in this year's draft was more difficult to project from his college statistics. Because John Calipari's frontcourt was overflowing with NBA talent, the freshman Lyles moved to small forward and became a starter after Alex Poythress tore his ACL. As a pro, Lyles will play power forward.
That Lyles could credibly move to the perimeter illustrates how skilled he is for a big man. While he was unable to hit the college 3-pointer (he shot 4-of-29, 13.8 percent), Lyles was more effective from 10 to 15 feet, and Utah is optimistic that Lyles could eventually become the stretch 4 the team has long coveted as a complement to starters Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert. Lyles did manage to make four triples in the team's final game in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, though he shot just 26.1 percent (6-of-23) overall. During the summer, Lyles showcased unusual ballhandling ability for a big man. He's capable of running unorthodox 4-5 pick-and-rolls.
The biggest challenge in projecting Lyles to the NBA is on defense. He was only an average defensive rebounder for a small forward last season. Then again, Lyles was also playing alongside Willie Cauley-Stein and Karl-Anthony Towns. He averaged 8.6 rebounds per 36 minutes this summer, which is below average but not unacceptable. Lyles did demonstrate strong lateral mobility for a post player, which should help him defend pick-and-rolls in the NBA.
Grant Jerrett
Position: Forward
Experience: 1 year
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Stretch 4 in training whose development has been limited by a series of injuries
+ Good, though not great, 3-point shooter in D-League; hasn't done much inside the arc
+ Has NBA-caliber athleticism but projects as a poor defensive rebounder for a power forward
Analysis
Two years into Jerrett's pro career, it's still difficult to tell whether he has a future in the NBA. Jerrett spent just one year at Arizona, then spent the entire 2013-14 season in the D-League. He saw just 51 minutes of NBA action last season and was traded midway through the season from Oklahoma City to Utah as part of the Enes Kanter deal. Since Jerrett's 2016-17 salary is non-guaranteed, this is an important year for him to show development.
Injuries have been a key factor in keeping Jerrett off the court. He missed last summer and training camp due to offseason ankle surgery, then suffered a dislocated shoulder in the Jazz's first game this summer, sidelining him the remainder of the schedule. All we have to go on, then, is Jerrett's D-League record. As a stretch 4, he's shot 37.6 percent from 3-point range, which translates to only average NBA shooting. Jerrett did improve to 39.2 percent last season, though it's tough to tell from the small sample (97 attempts) how real that change was. Jerrett rarely creates his own shot and took nearly half of his shots last season from beyond the arc, so he has to shoot the 3 well to earn playing time.
If he develops as a shooter, Jerrett's upside is that he's relatively athletic for a stretch 4. He's got long arms (his wingspan was measured at 7-foot-2 at the NBA draft combine) and can hold his own defensively if he adds strength to deal with more physical opponents. However, Jerrett has been only an average rebounder for a power forward in the D-League, which suggests he'll be a poor rebounder in the NBA.
Jeff Withey
Position: Center
Experience: 2 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Shot-blocking center who was never able to earn consistent minutes in New Orleans
+ Mechanical offensive player who has decent touch from perimeter and takes smart shots
+ Gifted shot-blocker; not athletic enough to defend away from basket; below-average rebounder
Analysis
Clearly, Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey has a type. Even with Rudy Gobert and Tibor Pleiss already on the roster, the Jazz signed Withey to a two-year contract for the veteran's minimum in August. Withey has the largest guarantee ($200,000, per BasketballInsiders.com) of the seven non-guaranteed players battling for spots on the Utah roster, suggesting he enters training camp with a good chance of sticking.
Despite impressive shot-blocking numbers -- 2.5 per 36 minutes last season -- Withey could never stick in the Pelicans' rotation during his first two years. In part, that overstates his defensive ability. As good as Withey is at protecting the rim, he struggles when drawn away from it. Withey doesn't move well laterally and is vulnerable to stretch bigs and pick-and-rolls. He's also a weak defensive rebounder who is occasionally too eager to go after pump fakes.
Offensively, Withey knows his limitations. He's a low-usage player -- last season's spike probably had much to do with playing in garbage time -- who scores efficiently because he gets fouled frequently and shoots nearly 70 percent from the line. Withey isn't a particularly good finisher, but he can step away from the basket and make jumpers from the elbow area. For the minimum salary, you could do a lot worse.
Bryce Cotton
Position: Guard
Experience: 1 year
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Quick, undersized point guard who looks to score
+ Excellent 3-point shooter in D-League and can finish above the rim
+ Has good footwork defensively but has a tough time playing through screens
Analysis
Dante Exum's ACL injury helped Cotton's chances of making the Jazz's roster. The Providence product spent most of his first pro season playing for the Austin Spurs in the D-League before earning a call-up from Utah in February. He ultimately signed a contract that is non-guaranteed this year and next. Previously on the bubble, Cotton now has a good chance of sticking as a third point guard.
When he did get on the court last season, Cotton was hard to miss. He moves a mile per minute and is tough to contain off the dribble with his ability to use hesitation and change directions. Cotton is also a big-time leaper for his size (6-foot-1) and memorably finished an errant alley-oop pass from Rodney Hood during the season's final week. Those aerial skills help Cotton finish over bigger defenders. He's also a threat from the perimeter, having shot 44.8 percent from 3-point range in the D-League. But don't expect much playmaking from Cotton, who averaged just 4.2 assists per 36 minutes in Austin.
Cotton's size is more of a hindrance defensively. He moves his feet really well to keep defenders in front of him one-on-one. Alas, Cotton tends to get stuck on opposing picks, presenting a challenge for him defending pick-and-rolls. If he plays rotation minutes, expect opposing teams to look to post Cotton up.
Chris Johnson
Position: Forward
Experience: 3 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Hard-working wing in the 3-and-D mold who's a tad undersized to stick
+ Only average NBA 3-point shooter at best; tweaked form this summer in hopes of improving accuracy
+ Diligent defender; hard to break down off the dribble; strong steal rate
Analysis
Not to be confused with the longtime NFL running back or the center who is attending training camp with the Cleveland Cavaliers, this Chris Johnson is a wing player who has gotten plenty of looks but has yet to find a home. The Jazz were one of three teams for Johnson last season, and he's played for five total in his three pro campaigns. Since his contract is non-guaranteed, Johnson can't settle in Utah yet either.
Part of Johnson's itinerant nature can be explained by the fact that he's a 3-and-D specialist who has yet to shoot better than 33.9 percent from 3-point range in the NBA. He worked with the coaching staff this summer to streamline his delivery and make it less of a sling with the aim of achieving better results. Aside from transition, Johnson really isn't an offensive threat except as a shooter.
Defensively, Johnson works hard and executes the game plan. He's tough to beat one-on-one. However, his listed 6-foot-6 size is generous, meaning Johnson can't really shut down bigger small forwards and can't be considered a stopper. Still, there should be a spot for Johnson somewhere in the league.
Elijah Millsap
Position: Guard
Experience: 1 year
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Younger brother of former Jazzman finally got his shot in NBA after parts of five years in D-League
+ Outstanding individual defender; generates steals at an extremely high rate; vulnerable to freelancing as team defender
+ Poor outside shooter; dreadful shot selection; prone to turnovers
Analysis
Elijah Millsap looks something like a miniature version -- "fun size," quipped Nets broadcaster Ian Eagle -- of his All-Star brother, Paul. Elijah, who made his NBA debut last season after parts of five seasons in the D-League, has a different game. Stylistically he's more of a poor man's Tony Allen. From the moment he arrived in the NBA, Millsap was one of the league's better wing defenders. He's physical and athletic, making him no fun for opponents. And Millsap also posted one of the league's highest steal rates. ESPN's real plus-minus rated him second to Khris Middleton defensively among shooting guards.
Nonetheless, Millsap lost the trust of the Utah coaching staff and appears a long shot to make the roster this season. Part of the issue was offense. Millsap isn't a good outside shooter for a wing (he shot 31.1 percent from 3-point range) and tries to do way too much, leading to poor shots and 2.6 turnovers per 36 minutes. That same freelancing spirit carries over for Millsap at the defensive end, where he was undisciplined and fouled far too much -- 4.8 times per 36 minutes. That often put the Jazz in the penalty early in quarters. It's too bad Millsap can't rein things in a bit, because he's got the ability to make an All-Defensive team.
Note: Utah head coach Quin Snyder denied that Millsap has lost the trust of the staff, according to the Desert News.
Jack Cooley
Position: Forward
Experience: 1 year
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Blue-collar big man who is a relentless offensive rebounder
+ Learning to finish over bigger opponents; powerful screener
+ Not a good enough shot-blocker to play center, and struggles athletically against power forwards
Analysis
During this year's NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Memphis Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger offered unprompted gushing about Cooley (who played for the Grizzlies' summer team the previous two years). "I love Jack Cooley," said Joerger, and many coaches feel the same way. As the cliché goes, Cooley would run through a brick wall for the team. And given his powerful frame, don't bet on the wall.
Cooley got his first NBA opportunity with Utah last season and will be in training camp on a non-guaranteed contract. His rebounding translated. Cooley secured 13.3 percent of all available offensive rebounds in his 87 minutes of playing time, consistent with his translated D-League performance. Alas, Cooley wasn't as effective shooting the ball.
NBA-caliber shot-blockers figure to give the undersized Cooley some trouble. And he still doesn't have a good defensive position. Just 6-foot-9, Cooley isn't quite big enough to protect the rim at center, and he gives away foot speed on the perimeter. That shortcoming likely consigns him to the NBA's fringes no matter how much coaches love him.
Treveon Graham
Position: Guard
Experience: Rookie
2015 draft profile
Scouting report
+ Prolific 3-point shooter with physical tools to develop into 3-and-D role player
+ Improved shooting over course of college career; less of a threat inside the arc
+ Good rebounder for a perimeter player; has size and strength to defend either wing spot
Analysis
The VCU product earned a spot in training camp with the Jazz by virtue of helping the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Summer League title in Las Vegas. Graham scored 22 points in the championship game, knocking down three 3-pointers.
A 3-and-D role seems to be Graham's ticket to an NBA roster spot. He was a good college 3-point shooter, not a great one, making 38.1 percent of his 3s as a senior. But Graham was prolific, attempting more than five 3s per game as a senior.
The defense part of the 3-and-D equation looks more promising for Graham. He's strong for his size and should be able to defend either wing spot. In particular, Graham excelled on the glass, securing 13.5 percent of available rebounds during his VCU career. Surprisingly for someone playing in Shaka Smart's "Havoc" defense, Graham got relatively few steals as a senior. His steal rate, excellent during his freshman year, declined each of the next three seasons.
Graham is unlikely to make the Utah roster but a strong candidate to play for the Jazz's D-League affiliate in Idaho.
J.J. O'Brien
Position: Forward
Experience: Rookie
Player profile
Scouting report
+ Undrafted forward from San Diego State who will go to training camp with Utah
+ Aside from small summer sample, hasn't shown 3-point range
+ Average college rebounder for a small forward; good steal rate as senior
Analysis
Wearing the No. 82 and black-and-red shoes that didn't match the Jazz's color scheme, O'Brien looked something like a create-a-player from an NBA video game when he showed up for summer league. Aesthetics aside, O'Brien impressed Utah enough to earn an invitation to training camp with a nominal amount of guaranteed money ($25,000). While he's a long shot to make the roster, O'Brien will probably end up playing in the D-League for the Jazz's affiliate in Idaho.
O'Brien wasn't really on the NBA radar at San Diego State, where he averaged 10.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as a senior. His steal rate spiked last season, but aside from that it's hard to find a lot of strengths in O'Brien's stat line. He shot 4-of-7 from 3-point range this summer for Utah, which is out of line with his college track record. He shot 24.7 percent career on 3s in college.
Dante Exum
Position: Guard
Experience: 1 year
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Promising point guard expected to miss entire 2015-16 season after tearing ACL during summer
+ Spent most of rookie season playing off the ball, struggled as outside shooter, rarely got to free throw line
+ Adapted readily to NBA defense; promotion to starting lineup coincided with Jazz's defensive turnaround
Analysis
The real shame of the torn ACL Exum suffered playing for the Australian national team this summer isn't whether losing him affects Utah's playoff chances this season. Instead, the concern is the lost year of development for a 20-year-old who appeared poised for major improvement on an uneven rookie season. It's especially disappointing given the increased confidence and aggressiveness Exum showed in the one game he played for the Jazz this summer before being sidelined by a sprained ankle.
During his rookie season, Exum essentially functioned as a spot-up shooter, frequently bringing the ball upcourt and dishing it to a wing to initiate the offense before heading to the corner. Exum isn't yet a good enough shooter to make that work, hitting just 31.4 percent of his 3-point attempts. And he almost never got to the basket off the dribble, attempting just three free throws in 29 games as a starter after the All-Star break.
Exum was a different player in summer league, attacking the basket off the dribble and drawing 12 free throw attempts. Consider that performance, which also included five assists and just one turnover, a template for what Exum might ultimately become.
The expectation last season was Exum would have a larger adjustment defensively, having been able to coast against low-level competition as a high schooler in Australia. Instead, Exum proved a quick defensive study. His 6-foot-6 size and long arms offer the same benefit as when defenses use a wing to defend smaller point guards. Utah allowed 5.6 fewer points per 100 possessions with Exum on the court, per NBA.com/Stats.