NBA Insider Dishes on Jazz Rotation Battle at the Backup Three

The Utah Jazz have some difficult decisions to make in regard to the backend of their roster. The case in point is where do second-year Jazzmen Luka Samanic and Simone Fontecchio fit in Utah’s plans moving forward?

The subject came up when ex-Jazz assistant coach Gordie Chiesa was asked whether there is room for both players to be in the rotation on ESPN 700's The Bill Riley Show.

“No, I don’t — not both of them,” Chiesa said. “One or the other. I would lean toward [Luka] Samanic because he’s a better overall all-around game. He can defend. He moves his feet. He can make enough freeze to keep the defense honest, but he’s fearless as far as defensively and scores a lot of points off broken plays. Fontecchio is a better knockdown shooter. That’s his forte, and he’s good at it. Defensively he’s lacking, and his ball skills are only average, and he’s not around the ball defensively — So we’ll see. It’s hard to get both guys as far as playing time. They both might be on the roster, but we will see is far is now and the trading deadline”

There are minutes for the taking at the backup small forward position. All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen will get the lion's share of minutes this year, but that still leaves about 18 minutes per night up for grabs. 

Samanic has improved his stock after his performance in the 2023 Summer League. The former 2019 first-round pick averaged 16.7 ppg while hauling in seven rebounds in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. 

Also, Samanic has the size and length that Utah prefers as they transition into one of the longest teams in the league. Samanic is listed at 6-foot-9 with a 6-foot-10-inch wingspan and has the versatility to play the three or the four.

Fontecchio’s first season with Utah was a mixed bag. Playing time was scarce to open the season, with Fontecchio appearing lost when opportunities did present themselves. In the month of November, Fontecchio only logged nine games averaging 8.6 minutes per contest and 3.7 ppg. 

Jazz head coach Will Hardy addressed the inconsistent opportunities during the season.

"I think there’s been some variance this year based on being in and out of the rotation and not having a ton of opportunity and some tough breaks here and there with some injuries," Hardy said of Fontecchio. "As he’s getting a rhythm, he hurts his ankle, and he’s out for a bit.”

Now fast forward to the Russell Westbrook trade that cleared a path for more time on the court. In the month of April, Fontecchio's minutes spiked to 23.5 per game, where he shot an impressive 38.7% from long distance on his way to averaging 11.4 ppg.

Despite the improved play, Fontecchio may be a victim of Utah’s depth up and down the roster. However, his roster spot is safe due to having an expiring contract that can help facilitate trades down the road.

Finally, due to the log jam at both guard positions, the Jazz could give Ochai Agbaji and Talen Horton-Tucker minutes at the backup three. Both players have the size to guard small forwards and would be viable options if there are not enough minutes to go around at the one or the two.

Jazz fans will get a clearer picture of how it shakes out with training camp two months away.

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