{"id":280612,"date":"2025-10-06T00:39:13","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T00:39:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/280612\/"},"modified":"2025-10-06T00:39:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T00:39:13","slug":"is-the-jazz-starting-point-guard-spot-up-for-grabs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/280612\/","title":{"rendered":"Is the Jazz starting point guard spot up for grabs?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article was first published as the Jazz Insiders<\/a> newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each Friday.<\/p>\n

Training camp is underway for the Utah Jazz! Preseason games start next week and then we\u2019re off to the races (probably toward the lottery). But before everything begins in earnest, there\u2019s a question that needs answering.<\/p>\n

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Who will be the Jazz\u2019s starting point guard?<\/p>\n

Last season started out with Collin Sexton and Keyonte George sharing the backcourt duties, but by January, Isaiah Collier had stepped in as the starting point guard. The problem is that Collier kind of became the starting point guard by default because he\u2019s the most point-guard-esque player on the roster.<\/p>\n

Collier definitely has some passing and speed talent that is unique, but his game isn\u2019t without its flaws. He finished the season shooting just 24.9% from 3-point range, which is less than ideal for a point guard, and his defense left a lot to be desired. So, it\u2019s not like he\u2019s got the job in the bag.<\/p>\n

And if you ask rookie Walter Clayton Jr. (which I did) he\u2019ll say that he thinks he\u2019s here to compete for a starting role.<\/p>\n

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\u201cFor sure, I think everybody on the team can say that,\u201d Clayton said. \u201cIf you\u2019re not doing that, then why are you really here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clayton Jr. showed some major chops at the college level, shooting 38.6% from deep across four seasons. He also led the Florida Gators to an NCAA title and notably had one of the most important defensive sequences at the end of the championship game.<\/p>\n

\"APTOPIX<\/p>\n

Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. and center Micah Handlogten celebrate after their win against Houston in the NCAA championship game Monday, April 7, 2025, in San Antonio. | Brynn Anderson<\/p>\n

No job is safe on this Jazz team, no position has been solidified and everyone should be feeling that heat. But the point guard spot is incredibly important. That\u2019s the player that sets the table for everyone else on the court and an effective point guard can mean better performances across the roster.<\/p>\n

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For the sake of fairness, I\u2019ll also say that Collier mentioned doing a lot of work on his shot this summer and feeling excited about everyone seeing how much he\u2019s improved. But the clock is officially ticking and Clayton is not going to wait to start knocking on that door.<\/p>\n

New with the JazzFrom the archivesExtra points<\/p>\n