The NBA’s harsh tax aprons have made it so that teams have to penny-pinch now more than ever, both in the short term and long term. Those restrictions factored into their decisions to trade Walker Kessler and Cody Williams this summer. It’s also likely why they haven’t extended Keyonte George yet.
George is coming off a breakout season with the Jazz, putting up career numbers in pretty much every category. After plenty of doubt as to whether he truly was a long-term piece, George proved the naysayers wrong. Add his clear demonstrations of wanting to be in Utah, and it feels like an extension is coming one way or the other.
Odds are, the only reason why the Jazz haven’t done it yet is because they want to see George do the same on a good team. Plus, this season, they will get to see what he looks like next to his designated partner-in-crime, Darryn Peterson.
Peterson may be the most talented prospect the Jazz ever had. He not only possesses rare talent to go with a thorough skillset, but he is NBA-ready. Individually, there’s good reason for Utah to be optimistic about him individually.
What they should keep an eye on is how he and George play together. Their talent as players is undeniable, but whether they play in sync with one another is yet to be determined.
Peterson & George’s chemistry could determine George’s next contract
If Peterson and George prove from the jump that they are as good together as they project to be, then it’s in Utah’s best interest to pay George good money, even if it comes with long-term cap ramifications.
If they don’t, then it makes the matter a bit complicated for the team. Two young and talented guards sharing the backcourt have often needed time to figure each other out to get the best result possible. The Jazz have had exceptionally talented guards in the past, but not typically two at the same time.
Making it even tougher is the fact that Utah has spent most of the last four years playing as badly as possible. Peterson never had to go through that, but George was part of it for three years, with him finally rewarding the Jazz’s faith in full last year.
Utah should have faith in this duo, and if they proves that the sky is the limit for them, it makes the decision to keep George the easist ever. How much they would have to pay would be the question.
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