Utah Jazz SG Collin Sexton impressed in his second year as a Jazzman.
After completing the second year of their rebuild, the Utah Jazz front office has gained valuable insights into the development of their roster. In the initial year, Lauri Markkanen emerged as a crucial component of their strategy, and in the subsequent year, Collin Sexton showcased his potential as a cornerstone player in the plans of Jazz CEO Danny Ainge and General Manager Justin Zanik.
Despite the team’s lack of competitiveness following the trade deadline, Sexton distinguished himself as the most competitive player on the roster. His unwavering commitment to giving his all in every game stood out, even when winning wasn’t the primary focus due to considerations like draft position and rookie development. Sexton provided insight into his experience representing a franchise where winning wasn’t the foremost priority.
“Yeah, we talk about it,” Sexton said. “We know, I know for sure, they’re building a winning culture around here. Putting guys in this building that want to be here. At the end of the day, sometimes it is tough. It takes time but you can tell the moves that they are making and things that they are doing is showing that we’re gonna move in the right direction and it’s going to be fun for many many years to come.”
Sexton concluded the season with averages of 18.7 points and 4.9 assists per game, showcasing impressive efficiency with shooting percentages of 48.7% from the field and 39.4% from beyond the arc, despite primarily creating his own offense.
Markkanen led the 2023-24 Jazz with a PER of 21.5%, followed closely by Sexton at 19.9%. In contrast, George and Clarkson struggled in this regard, with PERs of 10.3 and 12.6, respectively.
Moreover, Sexton demonstrated durability, appearing in 78 out of 82 games for the Jazz, leading the team in games played. Although he had previously battled injuries, missing 105 games over the past two seasons, Sexton has yet to play a full season since his rookie year in 2018-19.
Regarding Sexton’s future with the Jazz, it remains uncertain. Ainge indicated that Utah will pursue significant moves in the offseason, suggesting the possibility of Sexton being involved in a blockbuster trade. However, it’s more probable that Sexton will remain in Salt Lake City for his third year with the team.
Looking ahead, the question arises whether Sexton will continue as a starter or transition to the role of Utah’s Sixth Man. While he excels offensively, his compatibility with Keyonte George in the starting backcourt raises concerns, particularly regarding defense. Both players have been below average defensively, contributing to the team’s struggles and resulting in a league-worst defensive rating of 120.4 in the 2023-24 season.
Whether or not Sexton is part of a trade, he will undoubtedly be a crucial component of Utah’s plans for the upcoming season. His versatility makes him valuable either as a dynamic scorer off the bench or as a starting shooting guard, solidifying his role within the team’s rotation.