Jazz executives embrace a full youth movement, insisting minutes must be earned in a meritocracy as nine first- and second- year players anchor the roster. Ace Bailey, Walter Clayton Jr., John Tonje, Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier, Kyle Filipowski, Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George and Brice Sensabaugh pace a young core while veterans like Lauri Markkanen, Georges Niang and Walker Kessler provide guidance. Will Hardy stresses accountability and fluid rotations, balancing development with competitiveness to avoid stunting growth or tanking the lottery. The plan hinges on tough competition, injuries and continued improvement as the season unfolds.

Utah pivoted to a purposeful draft, adding Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr. as immediate‑impact prospects with clear upside. The analysis credits a deliberate, “draft with purpose” approach that pairs Bailey’s 6’10” versatility with Clayton’s elite shooting and late‑clutch flair. If development and coaching align, Utah can accelerate its rebuild while offering fantasy managers a duo with day‑one relevance and long‑term upside.

John Tonje signed a two-way deal with the Utah Jazz, allowing him to split time between Utah and the Salt Lake City Stars. The former Wisconsin standout joins a Jazz roster that sits at 19 players and must trim to 18 by October. Tonje impressed in summer league with 10 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 2.5 APG, including a 16-point debut against the Spurs, offering floor-stretching shooting and playmaking potential behind Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler.

As Tonje works to earn NBA minutes, Utah’s depth chart features Ace Bailey, Cody Williams, and Kyle Anderson behind Markkanen and Kessler. The Jazz open the 2025-26 season against the Clippers, with high hopes to rebound from a 17-65 campaign. Tonje’s path will hinge on his ability to translate summer league shooting into NBA opportunities, likely via two-way assignments and spot duty with the Jazz.