OCTOBER 5, 2022ā¢SLTRIB.COM
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Moda Center, Portland, OR
Andy Larsen: Whatever the Jazz have already done and must still do to get Victor Wembanyama, it would all be worth itVictor Wembanyama is so good it must be seen to be believed. Once believed, it must be acted upon.
'I was missing that journey': Why Mike Schmitz left ESPN to join Trail Blazers' front officeESPN's draft guru surprised many by taking an assistant GM job with Portland. But he says he enjoys being "in the shadows a little more."
OCTOBER 5, 2022ā¢THEATHLETIC.COM
Damian Lillard - Continues strong preseason playLillard produced 21 points (6-10 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 6-6 FT), three rebounds and two assists across 24 minutes in Tuesday's 118-101 loss to the Jazz.
ImpactLillard looks like his usual self with no signs of the injury that sidelined him for two-thirds of last season. The Trail Blazers need a solid second scoring option to emerge for the team, and once the team smooths out the kinks, Anfernee Simons and Lillard should both excel in the backcourt.
OCTOBER 5, 2022ā¢ROTOWIRE
Collin Sexton - Supplies 13 points from benchSexton produced 13 points (5-9 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds and an assist across 17 minutes in Tuesday's 118-101 win over the Trail Blazers.
ImpactSexton has only been with the team a little over a month, and after missing most of last season with a torn meniscus, seeing Sexton on the bench isn't a huge surprise. Before too long, Sexton should find his way into the starting lineup, as Utah didn't sign him to a $72 million contract to come off the pine.
OCTOBER 5, 2022ā¢ROTOWIRE
Kelly Olynyk - Scores 12 points in startOlynyk posted 12 points (3-5 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, six assists and two steals across 24 minutes in Tuesday's 118-101 win over the Trail Blazers.
ImpactOlynyk bounced back after going scoreless in the first preseason game. The veteran has huge shoes to fill, and life without Rudy Gobert will be an uphill battle for the Jazz. Olynyk won't be alone in trying to fill that hole, as Lauri Markkanen and Jarred Vanderbilt are quality frontcourt additions to help the cause.
OCTOBER 5, 2022ā¢ROTOWIRE
Mike Conley - Returns as Utah's floor generalConley supplied 16 points (6-9 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), two assists, a rebound and a steal across 22 minutes in Tuesday's 118-101 win over the Trail Blazers.
ImpactThe departures of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert represent massive losses for the Jazz, but Conley and Jordan Clarkson are back as remnants of the old guard in Salt Lake City. There's plenty of production to absorb without Mitchell, though it's very possible that Utah could look to move Conley at some point as it shifts into a rebuild.
OCTOBER 5, 2022ā¢ROTOWIRE
Jordan Clarkson - Leads all Jazz scorers in winClarkson posted 19 points (5-8 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 6-6 FT), two rebounds, an assist and a steal across 23 minutes in Tuesday's 118-101 win over the Trail Blazers.
ImpactThere's no doubt that Clarkson will play an essential role as the Jazz try to move on without Donovan Mitchell. Although he drew the start Tuesday, it's more likely that Collin Sexton will begin the season as the team's starting shooting guard. Clarkson is most at home as an offensive spark off the bench, and conventional wisdom suggests that his role will remain the same.
OCTOBER 5, 2022ā¢ROTOWIRE
