The Utah Jazz made waves with their acquisition of Jaren Jackson Jr., a bold move that signaled more than just a roster shakeup-it hinted at a franchise ready to shift gears. But while Jackson grabbed the headlines, the Jazz also brought in two other players from Memphis in that deal: John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr.
They weren’t the centerpiece, sure, but they weren’t just throw-ins either. And early signs suggest Utah plans to keep both around-for now.
Let’s start with what they bring to the table.
John Konchar is the kind of player coaches love having in their back pocket. He’s not flashy, but he’s dependable.
A wing who can shoot a bit, rebound well for his position, and hold his own defensively, Konchar fits the classic “glue guy” mold. He’s not going to swing a game with a 30-point night, but he also won’t disrupt the flow, whether he’s logging 20 minutes or watching from the bench.
That kind of versatility and low-maintenance presence can be valuable, especially on a team still figuring out its identity.
Vince Williams Jr., on the other hand, brings a more defined skill set-particularly on the defensive end. He’s a backcourt stopper with real instincts as a playmaker, though his offensive game, especially his shooting, still needs work.
But here’s the thing: he’s on a near-minimum salary, and that makes him a low-risk, high-upside option for the Jazz. If he can carve out a role in the rotation with his defense and energy, he could stick long-term.
Between the two, Williams Jr. appears to have the inside track to a more secure future in Utah. His defensive chops and cost-effective contract make him a logical piece to keep around as the Jazz continue to shape their roster. Konchar’s broader, less specialized game might make him more expendable, particularly with younger wings like Cody Williams and Ace Bailey, plus veterans like Svi Mykhailiuk, already in the mix.
That said, as of now, the expectation is that both Konchar and Williams Jr. will be on the roster next season. Their exact roles?
Still to be determined. But unless something changes, fans should anticipate seeing both in Jazz uniforms come opening night.
Now, the bigger picture.
The Jazz are building something intriguing. Pairing Jackson Jr. with Walker Kessler gives them a defensive frontcourt duo that can anchor a playoff-caliber defense.
But depth matters, especially on that end of the floor. That’s why names like Jeremy Sochan-again, floated, not reported-have been tossed around in conversations about potential future targets.
Utah knows it needs more defensive-minded personnel to truly elevate its ceiling.
That’s where players like Williams Jr. and Konchar could either find a niche-or become trade chips. Williams’ defense gives him a shot to grow into a rotation role, but if the Jazz find themselves needing to shore up their perimeter defense midseason, he could be part of a package. Konchar, with his expiring deal, might be even more likely to be moved, especially if Utah is hunting for a more specialized defender or a two-way wing.
The Jazz aren’t in a rush, but they’re also not content to just sit back and wait. This team has already done its time in the rebuild phase.
With Jackson Jr. now in the fold, the clock is ticking on turning potential into performance. If that means flipping Konchar or Williams Jr. to bolster the defense down the line, so be it.
For now, though, both players are in the mix. Whether they’re part of the long-term vision or just temporary puzzle pieces remains to be seen.
But make no mistake-the Jazz are positioning themselves for a leap. And every roster decision from here on out will be about maximizing that opportunity.