5-Man Race For 1 Prime Role Is Settled In Utah

After having the veteran Mike Conley run the point in Salt Lake City for most of the last four years, 2023-24 marked a new era for the Utah Jazz, as Conley was sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the trade deadline last season. Coming into training camp, five players were auditioning for the role of new full-time point guard.

It now seems that Talen Horton-Tucker has won the competition, to reprise the role he took on for the first time in his NBA career after last season's All-Star Break.

Talen Horton-Tucker finds Lauri Markkanen with the lob 🆙pic.twitter.com/oW6mVMm59E

— Jazz Nation (@JazzNationCP) October 28, 2023

Horton-Tucker played 19 games as the starting point late last season, and was a revelation, averaging 18 points, six assists, and five rebounds per night. 

This season, through two games, THT has 9.0 points, 6.0 assists and 1.5 steals.

Head coach Will Hardy says a lot of considerations went into the decision:

“Talen pairs well with Jordan (Clarkson). Jordan is very much a good pairing with Lauri (Markkanen), because he provides a second threat offensively, a second ball-handler, a second playmaker, a second focal point of the offense,” Hardy said. “When we made the determination that Jordan was going to play with Lauri, Talen was the best fit to play with Jordan.”

In addition, Hardy adds, he feels that the other two main point guards, Collin Sexton and Kris Dunn fit well together on the second unit. 

The Jazz are 1-1 thus far on the season. 

Photo: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports