The Utah Jazz announced the preseason schedule and it includes four games starting on October 8.

Utah Jazz Preseason Schedule 2025

Utah Jazz

The Jazz will start the preseason against the Houston Rockets on a two game Texas road trip. The biggest thing to watch for? The starting lineup. Utah has probably two players that are locks for the starting unit: Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler. Outside of those two, arguments can be made for the rest of the starters. With John Collins, Jordan Clarkson, and Collin Sexton gone, the youth has a clear path to playing.

Here’s my personal prediction of who that starting unit will be with the reason why:

Walter Clayton Jr.

With a successful summer league behind him and a winning mentality from his time at Florida, Clayton is very likely to get the starting nod at the 1. His problem may be that he’s not as gifted a passer as someone like Isaiah Collier, but his ability to score from everywhere makes him dangerous. He might also be JUST good enough to make it work. It also gives him the opportunity to grow in that area. And don’t forget, Clayton is one of Austin Ainge’s first picks. We’ll see if that means anything.

2. Brice Sensabaugh

Sensabaugh had a ridiculous summer league, shooting the lights out in Salt Lake City. He’s looking like a steal in the draft, but he has to prove a few things. Shooting and scoring are looking like a given, but can he defend and also not turn the ball over? If he can do those things, while also being a willing passer, he might become a solid contributor at the 2-spot.

3. Ace Bailey

Is this wishful thinking on my part? Maybe. But I feel like Bailey can be a solid contributor on both sides of the ball from day one. Bailey’s size, athleticism, and scoring is what you need at the 3 to win in the NBA. But what probably earns this spot is his surprising motor and intensity. Bailey showed some dominating moments in his short stint in summer league with pure talent. Without being featured at all, Bailey put up numbers because of his energy and tools. What happens if he is featured? Also, this is a great chance to put Bailey into a primary role right away. Four summer league games can get him on the right track for a successful rookie season.

4. Lauri Markkanen

Not much to say here. Markkanen is currently the best player on the team and should play as long as the Jazz want him to. The only question here is how many minutes does he play per game.

5. Walker Kessler

No surprise here either. Kessler is extension-eligible and is likely going to go all out to earn a big contract. At least you’d hope so. Can Walker Kessler show big-time play consistently every night? Can he shoot better from the free throw line? Can he be more than just a rim-running/rim protector? We’ll find out.

The other thing to watch in these games is how quickly this team gels together. Houston and San Antonio are going to be big tests defensively. Will Utah be able to score, or will they get blown out? It would be a good idea to bet on the Rockets and Spurs in these, at least in the first half. But maybe we see something from Utah in the first half that shows something special, I personally would love a big Ace Bailey appearance in one of these.