The Utah Jazz is a veteran team with little playing time for rookies. That is what led to the trade of point guard Eric Maynor to the Thunder along with the fact that it saved them a lot of money by including Matt Harpring in the deal. Maynor played in 26 games (2 starts) in his time with the Jazz and he averaged 14.0 minutes, 5.2 points, 1.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Wesley Matthews has been a real find for the Jazz as the guard signed with the Jazz as a undrafted free agent out of Marquette. He has played in 35 games (19 starts) for the Jazz this season and he is averaging 23.9 minutes, 8.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. He is also shooting the ball very well hitting 47.7% from the floor this year. Undrafted rookie guard Sundiata Gaines made his NBA debut last night. He played 21 minutes for the Jazz finishing with 3 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists and 1 steal. But, he was only 1 of 7 shooting from the floor and he will need to do better if he is to get playing time for the Jazz.

The Jazz started the season short handed due to injuries which gave undrafted rookie guard Wesley Matthews his big chance to shine and he has run with it. Matthews has played in 24 games (16 starts) for the Jazz this season and he is averaging 26.2 minutes, 8.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. The Jazz have quite a find in Matthews and he will continue to get his minutes as long as he keeps playing well.

22-year old point guard Eric Maynor was just supposed to sit and learn behind Deron Williams this season. But, Williams recently had to miss a couple of games due to a sickness in his family putting Maynor in the starting lineup and he played very well. Maynor has played in 8 games (2 starts) for the Jazz this season and he is averaging 13.5 minutes, 6.4 points, 1.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Look for the Jazz to give Maynor a few more minutes than he was getting when Williams returns. 23-year old SG/SF Wes Matthews has been a huge surprise for the Jazz so far this season. The undrafted Matthews has played in 10 games (2 starts) already for the Jazz this season and he is averaging 20.1 minutes, 7.6 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. The Jazz would probably be better off with Matthews coming off the bench but due to injuries he’s been forced into the starting lineup where he is holding his own so far this year.

Rookie C/F Kosta Koufos has played in 11 games for the Jazz this season and he is averaging 14.1 minutes, 3.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. He came out early from Ohio State so it might take a little while until he’s ready for the speed of the NBA game. He will have time to develop as the Jazz’ won’t have that many minutes available for him when they get healthy in the front line.

The Jazz were a very veteran laden team so their weren’t many minutes available for the teams’ rookies. Guard Morris Almond was the Jazz’ first round pick and he only got to play in garbage time. He played in 9 games (0 starts) for the Jazz this season and he averaged 4.3 minutes, 1.4 points, 0.2 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. Almond only shot 26.7% from the floor but in fairness to him it was probably hard for him to find a rhythm due to his lack of playing time.

Center Kyrylo Fesenko also rarely got a chance to play so it’s also hard to evaluate his performance. Fesenko played in 9 games (0 starts) for the Jazz this season and he averaged 7.8 minutes, 1.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game. He only shot 37.5% from the floor but he didn’t get to shoot the ball much.

The Jazz have not gotten much from their rookies this season. First round pick Morris Almond has been nailed to the bench so far this season. He has played in only 6 games (0 starts) and he is averaging 4.2 minutes, 0.5 points and 0.2 assists per game. Center Kyrylo Fesenko also hasn’t done much this season. He has played in 7 games (0 starts) this season and he is averaging 9.1 minutes, 1.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. It will be interesting to watch these two guys’ careers as they likely won’t break into the Jazz’ rotation for quite some time.

Guard Morris Almond and center Kyrylo Fesenko are certainly not looking like last year’s haul of Paul Millsap and Ronnie Brewer. Almond was selected to take on Brewer in training camp for the starting shooting guard spot and he lost out. He has played in 4 games this season and he is averaging 3.0 minutes and has yet to score. Fesenko has played in 7 games so far this season and he’s averaging 9.0 minutes, 1.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. Don’t look for either of these guys to get increased playing time any time soon as Coach Sloan is old school and makes players earn time on the court.

The only thing that kept the Jazz rookies away from getting an A, was their lack of playing time.  Forward Paul Millsap was outstanding in his rookie season as he played in 82 games and he averaged 18.0 minutes, 6.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.  He also shot an outstanding 52.5% from the floor last season.  Millsap would be a starter for a lot of basketball teams but he’s behind Carlos Boozer in Utah.  G/F Ronnie Brewer also is a good basketball player and a future starter for the Utah Jazz.  He played in 56 games last season and he averaged 12.1 minutes, 4.6 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.  He shot an outstanding 52.8% from the floor which is outstanding.  Reserve point guard Dee Brown played in 49 games and he averaged 9.2 minutes, 1.9 points, 0.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.  He only shot 32.7% from the floor and he will need to improve on that if he wants to keep playing in the NBA.

Paul Millsap has been fantastic as Carlos Boozer’s back up.  He’s played in 47 games and is averaging 16.3 minutes, 6.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 1.0 blocks.  He’s also hitting 54.5% of his shots from the floor and that is fantastic.  Millsap will get a huge increase in playing time now that Carlos Boozer is injured.

G/F Ronnie Brewer also has played very well this season.  Brewer has played in 34 games and has averaged 12.4 minutes, 4.5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists.  Brewer is shooting 50.8% from the floor this season and that is fantastic.

Guard Dee Brown has not played well for the Jazz.  Brown has played in 28 games and he’s averaging 7.7 minutes, 1.2 points, 0.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists.  He’s only shooting 22.4% from the floor and that is downright awful.

The key to the Jazz continued success as a franchise has been their ability to draft well.  Paul Millsap has played very well as he has played in 21 games and has averaged 16.3 minutes, 7.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game so far this season.  Millsap is also hitting a great 57.4% from the floor.

Ronnie Brewer was also a good pick and a future starter.  Brewer has played in 18 games and has averaged 12.9 minutes, 4.9 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game so far this season.  Brewer has hit an outstanding 52.1% from the floor so far this season.

Dee Brown has played in 12 games and has averaged 8.4 minutes, 1.3 points, 0.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game so far this season.  Brown has had shooting problems as he’s only hit 20% of his shots from the floor.