Predicting the Utah Jazz 2015 Starting 5 Following Free Agency

Predicting the Utah Jazz 2015 Starting 5 Following Free Agency

By George Middleton

July 21, 2015

Predicting the Utah Jazz 2015 Starting 5 Following Free Agency

Rudy Gobert Derrick Favors Utah Jazz — The Utah Jazz were one of the best teams in the NBA to close the season. The Jazz won 21 of their final 32 games to finish 38-44 on the year. The Jazz have terrific young talent; unfortunately, they can't all be on the floor at the same time. Jazz fans expect their team to make a push at the postseason for the first time since 2012, and mostly because of this starting five:

The Utah Jazz were one of the best teams in the NBA to close the season. The Jazz won 21 of their final 32 games to finish 38-44 on the year. The Jazz have terrific young talent; unfortunately, they can't all be on the floor at the same time. Jazz fans expect their team to make a push at the postseason for the first time since 2012, and mostly because of this starting five:

PG- Dante Exum

Dante Exum Utah Jazz

PG- Dante Exum

Dante Exum Utah Jazz — Dante Exum had a disappointing rookie season. The 20-year-old averaged 4.8 points and 2.4 assists. Exum will start over Trey Burke, who is better suited as a featured scoring option off the bench. Exum played in one Summer League game in Las Vegas. He looked terrific going for 20 points and five assists. The Jazz expect Exum to perform at a high level this season.

Dante Exum had a disappointing rookie season. The 20-year-old averaged 4.8 points and 2.4 assists. Exum will start over Trey Burke, who is better suited as a featured scoring option off the bench. Exum played in one Summer League game in Las Vegas. He looked terrific going for 20 points and five assists. The Jazz expect Exum to perform at a high level this season.

SG- Alec Burks

Alec Burks Utah Jazz

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SG- Alec Burks

Alec Burks Utah Jazz — Alec Burks can flat-out score. The 24-year-old was averaging 13.9 points and 4.2 rebounds before going down with a left shoulder injury. Burks is one of the better slashers in the league, as he excels at finishing around the rim. If he continues to improve his shooting, he can be a special player. Second-year wing Rodney Hood will provide some scoring punch off of the bench.

Alec Burks can flat-out score. The 24-year-old was averaging 13.9 points and 4.2 rebounds before going down with a left shoulder injury. Burks is one of the better slashers in the league, as he excels at finishing around the rim. If he continues to improve his shooting, he can be a special player. Second-year wing Rodney Hood will provide some scoring punch off of the bench.

SF- Gordon Hayward

Gordon Hayward Utah Jazz

SF- Gordon Hayward

Gordon Hayward Utah Jazz — Gordon Hayward is without question Utah's franchise player. Hayward even has a chance to make the All-Star game next season; that's how good he is. The 25-year-old posted averages of 19.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists last season. It's safe to expect a big year from Hayward.

Gordon Hayward is without question Utah's franchise player. Hayward even has a chance to make the All-Star game next season; that's how good he is. The 25-year-old posted averages of 19.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists last season. It's safe to expect a big year from Hayward.

PF- Derrick Favors

Derrick Favors Utah Jazz

PF- Derrick Favors

Derrick Favors Utah Jazz — Derrick Favors improved significantly and as a result, he had his best season last year. Favors posted averages of 16 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. He is a reliable defender who plays with a lot of energy, but his offense is improving rapidly as well. If Favors takes a step forward like he did last year, he will be a borderline star player.

Derrick Favors improved significantly and as a result, he had his best season last year. Favors posted averages of 16 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. He is a reliable defender who plays with a lot of energy, but his offense is improving rapidly as well. If Favors takes a step forward like he did last year, he will be a borderline star player.

C- Rudy Gobert

Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz

C- Rudy Gobert

Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz — Rudy Gobert is an elite defender and he showed every bit of that last season. The 23-year-old averaged 8.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. If his scoring catches up to his defense, he will be an elite center. Expect Gobert to be a walking double-double this season.

Rudy Gobert is an elite defender and he showed every bit of that last season. The 23-year-old averaged 8.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. If his scoring catches up to his defense, he will be an elite center. Expect Gobert to be a walking double-double this season.

George Middleton is a Los Angeles Lakers beat writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @georgemiddlet0n, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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