Jazz fans could not have asked for anything more than what we have seen during the first two games of the Salt Lake City Summer League. On day one, Ace Bailey looked both huge and improved. On day two, Cody Williams flashed confidence and capabilities beyond what we have seen during his first two seasons. And on both days, Darryn Peterson has been electric – spectacular shotmaking and better than expected playmaking combine to paint the picture of the birth of a star.
Not to dampen any enthusiasm
for the team’s final outing in the 2026 Salt Lake City Summer League, but, according to Sarah Todd, we will not be seeing any of the Jazz’s July Big Three in their against the Thunder.
This is not to say that there’s nothing to watch for. Three players who have not been ruled out have stood out to me so far, and each should have bigger roles without Darryn, Ace, and Cody taking shots and playmaking opportunities.
Players to Watch
1. Blake Hinson
Hinson began proving himself at the end of last year (to the extent that we couldn’t play him and accomplish our tanking-centric goals), and the Jazz have rewarded him with a two-way contract heading into the 2026-2027 season. That confidence has been rewarded thus far in Salt Lake City Summer League. While he’s not putting up double-take worthy numbers (11 points per game on pedestrian efficiency), he has popped off the screen during his playing time. Reports that he has lost weight and gained muscle over the summer appear accurate, and he’s moving around the court with pace and force. I attended the Jazz game on Saturday versus the Hawks, and my friend, introduced to Hinson’s game for the first time, gave him the nickname of “the trebuchet”, for two reasons – his confidence from downtown, and the reckless abandon that he threw himself into the action while fighting for rebounds. While the nickname may not have much staying power, Blake Hinson might. He will likely be the #1 option for the Jazz against Oklahoma City, and a Utah win may depend on the efficacy of Hinson’s explosive shooting.
2. Jaxon Kohler
The hometown kid! Kohler attended American Fork High School before heading East to attend Michigan State University, and showed out in front of his day-ones on Monday verses Memphis. He poured in 11 points (including a three-pointer), grabbed 7 rebounds, and played impressive defense against talented and ginormous youngster, Cameron Boozer. Thurl Bailey correctly referred to him as a “true energy big”, which he’ll need to be if he wants to gain ground in his uphill battle to make the big leagues. It’s true, it’ll be a tough translation for the not-too-athletic, not-too-long Kohler to carve out a spot in the NBA, but huge humans who know where to be, play hard, and can hit three pointers sometimes just make it all work. Kohler has a chance to make a name for himself in the post against OKC and their lottery-selected Giant Aday Mara (assuming that he plays). In particular, keep an eye out for his jump shot looks – that’s the ultimate X-Factor for his NBA transition.
3. Justin Harmon
Harmon has been chugging along on the Salt Lake City Stars for the past two years, and has quietly starred for the Jazz’s Summer League Team in their first two games. He’s a well-built 190 pounds at 6’4, and has been a clear positive on both ends of the court so far. He got three steals in the first game, and 2 blocks in the second, always moving and using his athleticism to make his presence felt defensively. On offense, he’s impressed me with his physicality and aggression, bullying his way into the paint, especially in the first game against Atlanta. I’m not sure there’s something here outside of Summer League – the jump shot has been inconsistent throughout his career, and he’s a bit too poor of a playmaker for someone that small – but he may be able to take a path to the league similar to the one walked by Elijah Harkless, as a bulldog defender who succeeds with physicality. I’m interested to see how he performs as a primary ball handler without Peterson or Williams to take the ball up the court.
How to Watch the Salt Lake City Summer League?
Who: Utah Jazz vs Oklahoma City Thunder
When: Tuesday, July 7th | 7:00 MT
Where: Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, UT
How to watch: Prime Video, ESPNU, League Pass, KJZZ, Jazz+
