The Utah Jazz and the University of Utah combined to host the Salt Lake City Summer League from July 5 to 8.
This round-robin tournament, featuring the Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder, had numerous local ties to the state and the U. A packed Jon M. Huntsman Center was the place to be, as basketball royalty filled the stands. Coaches, GMs, scouts, current players and former players gathered to watch the future of the NBA compete at the highest level.
While the NBA Summer League isn’t typically the go-to scale for determining how a young player will pan out in the league, it can provide information on how newcomers perform against higher levels of competition.
For the Jazz, these up-and-coming prospects provide a sense of excitement that has been missing for a handful of years. After drafting Ace Bailey, Walter Clayton Jr. and John Tonje, the buzz and hope around Salt Lake’s NBA team have been rejuvenated.
A 3-0 record in the tournament was a sign of positive development amongst the young core of players that GM Danny Ainge and head coach Will Hardy are hoping to build around. Final scores aren’t what the fans are after in the summer, however, so here is a dive into who balled and who stalled throughout this small sample size that the Summer League provides.
Established starters for the Jazz were left off the roster to open up playing time for those hoping to earn some minutes in the regular season. Because of this, the starting five for game one consisted of Brice Sensabaugh, Cody Williams, Bailey, Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier. The five combined for 70 of the team’s 93 points. Sixth man, Clayton Jr. contributed nine points and six assists of his own in an impressive debut, propelling the Jazz over the Sixers, 93-89
After a relatively underwhelming game one for Bailey, the fifth overall draft pick bounced back with a strong stat line in game two, tallying 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists on 50% shooting. Bailey’s strong showing was paired with Sensabaugh’s 37-point outburst as the Jazz took game two over the Grizzlies, 112-111.
In game three, Bailey didn’t make an appearance due to right groin soreness. This opened up a starting spot for Clayton, as his 20 points led all scorers, and the Jazz took game three from the Thunder, 86-82.
Overall, Utah’s top players in the Summer League were Clayton, Sensabaugh and Filipowski. Bailey showed signs of promise in game two, but his precautionary injury restriction kept him from competing in a third matchup. The Jazz will undoubtedly be pleased with how the tournament went. Signs of improvement and promise are exactly what the rebuilding franchise is looking for as they gear up for the 2025-26 season.
The Jazz weren’t the only team that was represented over the weekend, however, as the Runnin’ Utes saw two former players compete on their old court. Lawson Lovering and Branden Carlson of the Grizzlies and Thunder, respectively, were listed on the rosters as big men hoping to earn impactful roles in the NBA.
Carlson didn’t log minutes in any games for the Thunder, but Lovering played a big role for the Grizzlies. The big man averaged 3.7 points and two rebounds per game while averaging over 13 minutes of playing time.
A successful Summer League has basketball fans in Utah excited for what’s to come in next year’s NBA season.
j.leone@dailyutahchronicle.com
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