NBA

Jazz Notes Player Highlights: Utah’s Best Veterans In 2023-24 Season

May 1, 2024, 2:03 PM | Updated: 3:44 pm

Collin-Sexton-Utah-Jazz-NBA top plays march...

Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) reacts to a call by the referee during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Courtesy of Deseret News)

(Courtesy of Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY – Although Utah didnt find a lot of success in the franchise’s 50th anniversary season, some Jazz players had seasons and highlights that are worth a look back on.

On the Jazz Notes podcast, Ben Anderson and Chandler Holt began the process of highlighting Jazz player’s seasons.

Up first, the best veterans.

Jazz Notes Podcast Player Highlights

The young players ended up being the focus of the season for the Jazz but that didnt stop the vets from leaving their impact.

Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, and John Collins all stepped up in their own way to lead Utah on and off the court.

John Collins

Season stats: 15.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 53.2 FG%, 37.1 3P%, 68 games played

When the Atlanta Hawks traded Collins to the Jazz for Rudy Gay and a second-round pick, no one really knew what to expect from the seventh-year big man.

It was always an interesting fit in Utah with Collins. But, the Jazz needed talent and Collins showed a lot of upside during his years with the Hawks.

Early in the season, it was a struggle to find the best way to orchestrate the frontcourt. With a lot of minutes to go around between Markkanen, Collins, Kessler, and Kelly Olynyk, the Jazz had to get creative.

Overall, Collins had a pretty solid season. He drastically improved upon his three-point shooting from last season and was a huge reason Utah was a top-5 rebounding team in the association.

“There is something there that you can figure out how to use,” Anderson said. “You didnt get a guy on the downslide of his career. That is not at all what you got with John Collins. Still not a perfect fit but there’s some promise there.”

Collin Sexton

Season stats: 18.7 points, 4.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 48.7 FG%, 39.4 3P%, 78 games played

After his first season with the Jazz left a lot to be desired, Sexton stepped up and became Utah’s clear second-best player in 2023-24.

He improved in almost every statistical category excluding field goal percentage. But, when you take 3.5 more shot attempts a game, dropping by less than two percent from the field is impressive.

Sexton went on two different tears this year in December and March. The first came when the Jazz won 15 of 19 games and became a threat for postseason contention. The second came when Utah was dealing with a myriad of injuries late in the season.

“Collin (Sexton) had an awesome year,” Anderson said. “(He)ย had a much better year than I was anticipating and a huge bounce back from last season. Collin Sexton was easily the Jazz’s second-best player.”

In December, Sexton averaged 21.1 points and 4.3 assists on 50.3 percent from the floor. In March, he averaged 22.5 points and 6 assists on 52.6 percent.

Sexton was also an Iron Man for the Jazz, playing in a team-high 78 games. If it weren’t for an illness late in the season, Sexton likely would’ve reached the 82-game mark for the second time in his career.

Lauri Markkanen

Season stats: 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 48.0 FG%, 39.9 3P%, 55 games played

Markkanen dealt with numerous injuries during the 2023-24 campaign but that didnt stop him from being an all-star caliber player when he was on the floor.

There was a pretty direct correlation between Markkanen being healthy and the Jazz winning games. When the Finnish big man returned from his injury in December, Utah immediately went on the run that saw them win 15 of 19 games.

Markkanen was on the floor for 22 of the Jazz’s 31 wins last season. He led the team in points, was second in rebounds, and fell just short of 50/40/90 shooting splits.

“Lauri (Markkanen) was a no-question all-star last year and borderline all-NBA,” Anderson said. “(Lauri Markkanen) didnt deserve any of those this year. He dropped two points per game, he dropped in rebounds, and his defense was significantly worse. I don’t think (Markkanen) was as good this season as he was last year.”

Even though he took a step back, Markkanen was still a clear top-50 player in the NBA. Also, considering the injuries and roster turnaround, it makes sense that Markkanen would have a less impressive season.

Sign up for the new Jazz Notes newsletter! Receive game updates, exclusive analysis and chances to win Jazz tickets.

The Jazz Notes podcast, hosted by Ben Anderson and Chandler Holt, keeps you up-to-date with Utah Jazz news from on and off the court every week. Check back on Tuesday afternoons for the latest episode!

Are you on Threads yet? Letโ€™s connect, give us a follow @kslsports.ย 

Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.

Want more coverage like Jazz Notes Player Highlights? Take us with you, wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utahโ€™s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

  • Utah Jazz Scoreboard

  • Utah Jazz Team Leaders

  • Utah Jazz Standings

NBA

Utah Jazz Los Angeles Lakers Jordan Clarkson...

Ben Anderson

Jordan Clarkson Heel Injury To Be Re-Evaluated In One Week

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and will be re-evaluated in one week.

6 hours ago

Jamal Murray #27 and Christian Braun #0 of the Denver Nuggets and Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Ja...

Ben Anderson

Winless Jazz Embark On First Extended Road Trip

The Utah Jazz will hit the road for their first multi-game road trip of the season beginningย  Saturday against the Denver Nuggets.

7 hours ago

Utah Jazz San Antonio Spurs Kyle Filipowski Victor Wembanyama...

Chandler Holt

Utah Jazz Remain Winless In Blowout Loss To Spurs At Home

The Utah Jazz will continue their search for the first win of the season after falling to the Spurs on Thursday.

1 day ago

Patty Mills Utah Jazz...

Chandler Holt

Patty Mills Makes It Rain In First Quarter Against Former Team

Jazz guard Patty Mills spent a decade in San Antonio but you wouldn't know that based on how he ended the first quarter.

1 day ago

John Collins #20...

Chandler Holt

Brice Sensabaugh Finds John Collins On Hook Pass Alley-Oop

In the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs, Jazz guard Brice Sensabaugh found John Collins cutting to the rim.

1 day ago

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) motions to the crowd...

Ben Anderson

Markkanen Questionable As Jazz Host Spurs

The winless Utah Jazz could be without Lauri Markkanen on Halloween night when they host the San Antonio Spurs.

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

Farmington High School...

American Fork Outlasts Farmington In Defensive Battle

Twelfth-seeded American Fork put together a stout defensive performance, shutting down the Farmington Phoenix in a 21-17 win.

...

Northern Utah High School Player of the Week – Week 11

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in all of Northern Utah, honoring their exceptional performances on the gridiron.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week – Week 11

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Salt Lake County, honoring their exceptional performances on the gridiron.

Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week...

Utah County High School Player of the Week – Week 11

The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep football players in Utah County. It honors athletes for their performances on the gridiron.

Whitaker Field (1)...

Defense Leads Granger Lancers Into Second Round Of Playoffs

Turnovers ruled the day as the Granger Lancers overcame an early deficit to beat the Box Elder Bees 26-23. The Lancers advance to face the Roy Royals on Friday, November 1.

...

Northern Utah High School Player of the Week – Week 10

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in all of Northern Utah, honoring their exceptional performances on the gridiron.

Jazz Notes Player Highlights: Utah’s Best Veterans In 2023-24 Season