Here are the 16 members of the 2018-19 Utah Jazz, with a little analysis thrown in for good measure. Tyler Cavanaugh and Naz Mitrou-Long are two-way players this season, which means they’ll split time between the Jazz and their G-League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars.
GRAYSON ALLEN
Position: Shooting guard
Ht./Wgt.: 6-5, 205
College: Duke
Experience: 1st season
Allen has the sweet shooting form and plenty of athleticism to make him an intriguing prospect for the future. But his defense will determine whether or not he can get on the floor this year.
Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz guard Grayson Allen (24) had 14 points and 3 rebounds in the first half as the Utah Jazz host the Perth Wildcats, Sept. 29, 2018 at Vinvint Smart Home Arena.
TONY BRADLEY
Position: Center
Ht./Wgt.: 6-11, 240
College: North Carolina
Experience: 2nd season
He’s three years younger than Allen, so it’s forgivable that he has a limited NBA skill-set right now. But he’s great at keeping the ball high on offensive rebounds or roll catches and finishing for easy points.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) The crowd reacts as Utah Jazz center Tony Bradley (13) brings the Jazz back within 4 points, in Utah Jazz summer league action between Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City, Tuesday, July 3, 2018.
ALEC BURKS
Position: Shooting guard
Ht./Wgt.: 6-6, 214
College: Colorado
Experience: 8th season
He can score, but can he do more? The good news: his playmaking has improved in recent years, but his tendency to go rogue outside of the Jazz’s system hurts his playing time.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) makes his way to the basket against the Spurs during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Salt Lake City, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017.
TYLER CAVANAUGH
Position: Power forward
Ht./Wgt.: 6-9, 239
College: George Washington
Experience: 2nd season
Found playing time at PF and C for an short-handed Atlanta team last year, but the Hawks chose to waive him at the end of the year. Good shooter and decision maker on offense, iffy finisher and defender.
Atlanta Hawks' Tyler Cavanaugh (34) drives between Cleveland Cavaliers' JR Smith (5) and Cleveland Cavaliers' Jose Calderon (81), from Spain, in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
JAE CROWDER
Position: Small forward
Ht./Wgt.: 6-6, 235
College: Marquette
Experience: 7th season
Lineups featuring him as small-ball 4 worked superbly for the Jazz, but Crowder shot just 38 percent last year with the Jazz. Will more time to learn Snyder’s system improve his efficiency?
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) reacts to a call by the official, in playoff action in game 6, between Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder in Salt Lake City, Friday, April 27, 2018.
DANTE EXUM
Position: Point guard
Ht./Wgt.: 6-6, 190
Home country: Australia
Experience: 4th season
After receiving a $30 million extension, it’s now time for Exum to show that he can be an impact player on both ends of the floor. Already shows the defensive skills and transition ability, now needs half-court game.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) drives on Maccabi Haifa's Roi Huber as the Utah Jazz host Maccabi Haifa, preseason NBA basketball at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City Wednesday October 4, 2017.
DERRICK FAVORS
Position: Power forward
Ht./Wgt.: 6-10, 265
College: Georgia Tech
Experience: 9th season
The longest-tenured Jazzman returns as the team’s starting power forward, but last year played a majority of his minutes at the center position. He can play both roles well if his outside shooting improves.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) reaches for the ball as the Utah Jazz host the Milwaukee Bucks, NBA basketball in Salt Lake City Saturday November 25, 2017.
RUDY GOBERT
Position: Center
Ht./Wgt.: 7-1, 245
Home country: France
Experience: 6th season
The most feared player on the Jazz roster; opposing offenses change everything when Gobert’s on the court to avoid him in the paint. He’s the reason the Jazz had the best defense in the NBA last season.
(Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) spins to the basket past Oklahoma City Thunder forward Corey Brewer (3) during first quarter play. The Thunder led the Jazz 22-18 at the end of the 1st quarter during Game 6 of the first round playoff game, Friday, April 27, 2018.
JOE INGLES
Position: Small forward
Ht./Wgt.: 6-6, 226
Home country: Australia
Experience: 5th season
Mild-mannered looks betray “Jingles’” personality as a brash trash-talking instigator on the court. But he has become one of the league’s best role players thanks to his sweet 3-point shot, playmaking skills, and solid defense.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) reacts after tying the game 39-39 with a 3-point-shot in the second quarter, in NBA game 6 playoff action between Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder in Salt Lake City, Friday, April 27, 2018.
DONOVAN MITCHELL
Position: Shooting guard
Ht./Wgt.: 6-3, 211
College: Louisville
Experience: 2nd season
His rookie season turned everything around for the Jazz right when they needed it most. Now, the franchise will go as high as he does. Can he become more efficient in Year 2 with defenses keying on him?
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) jokes around with the team as they warm up for their game against the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of the NBA playoffs at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Sunday, May 6, 2018 in Salt Lake City.
NAZ MITROU-LONG
Position: Shooting guard
Ht./Wgt.: 6-4, 209
College: Iowa State
Experience: 2nd season
A talented shooter, but with a questionable NBA frame. He’s a natural leader, though, and a strong locker room fit. His biggest role in a crowded guard rotation will be to lead the Salt Lake City Stars.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Naz Mitrou-Long (30), takes the ball to the hoop, in Utah Jazz summer league action between Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City, Tuesday, July 3, 2018.
RAUL NETO
Position: Point guard
Ht./Wgt.: 6-1, 179
Home country: Brazil
Experience: 4th season
Starting the season off with a hamstring injury must be frustrating after an injury filled 2017-18 season, but when he did play, it was his best season yet. Defensively solid, good shooter, vertically challenged.
(Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Raul Neto (25) looks to pass during the Utah Jazz versus Denver Nuggets NBA basketball game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City Tuesday November 28, 2017.
GEORGES NIANG
Position: Power forward
Ht./Wgt.: 6-8, 230
College: Iowa State
Experience: 3rd season
One of the most skilled players on the team, without the athleticism to match, Niang has a role to play on this Jazz team. Think of a better-shooting version of Boris Diaw’s final NBA season in Utah, but without the coffee.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Memphis Grizzlies Markel Crawford. knocks the ball out of the hands of Utah Jazz forward Georges Niang (31), in Utah Jazz summer league action between Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City, Tuesday, July 3, 2018.
ROYCE O’NEALE
Position: Shooting guard
Ht./Wgt.: 6-6, 215
College: Baylor
Experience: 2nd season
One of the smartest perimeter defenders in the league, things get a bit tougher for O’Neale on the offensive end. But a developing shot and ballhandling skills could round out his already-strong playmaking.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale (23) with the bucket. The Utah Jazz lead the Golden State Warriors 62-33 during their game, Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at the Vivant Smart Home Arena.
RICKY RUBIO
Position: Point guard
Ht./Wgt.: 6-4, 194
Home country: Spain
Experience: 8th season
A prodigy of a point guard who adapted to Snyder’s system in the second half of 2017-18, Rubio is more comfortable entering an NBA season than ever before. If his shot matches his confidence, he’ll have his best season.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio (3) fires up the crowd as the Utah Jazz host the Los Angeles Lakers at Vivint Smart Home Arena Tuesday, April 3, 2018
THABO SEFOLOSHA
Position: Small forward
Ht./Wgt.: 6-7, 220
Home country: Switzerland
Experience: 13th season
Returning from knee surgery, Sefolosha isn’t quite the All-NBA defender he was in his prime. But he does add offensive know-how and is one of the most popular figures in the locker room.
(Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Thabo Sefolosha (22) celebrates after scoring during the game at Vivint Smart Home Arena Friday, December 1, 2017. Utah Jazz defeated New Orleans Pelicans 114-108.
EKPE UDOH
Position: Center
Ht./Wgt.: 6-10, 240
College: Baylor
Experience: 7th season
Besides being the only NBA player with a community book club, Udoh’s also one of the league’s most talented rim protectors. He’s also a good passer, but a mechanical, at best, finisher around the rim.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Ekpe Udoh (33) celebrates a fourth quarter comeback as the Utah Jazz host the Denver Nuggets, NBA basketball in Salt Lake City, Wednesday October 18, 2017.
