Isaiah Collier Heads to the Bench as Jazz Reshuffle Lineup
The Utah Jazz are shaking things up once again, and this time, it’s Isaiah Collier who’s seeing a change in his role. After returning from a hamstring injury that delayed the start of his season, the promising young guard is now expected to come off the bench instead of starting, as the Jazz continue to experiment with their lineup heading into the heart of the 2025–26 campaign.
Collier had made his regular-season debut recently after a stint in the G League to regain conditioning. In that game, he logged 26 minutes as a starter and showed flashes of what made him one of Utah’s most exciting prospects last season. However, for Monday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he was moved to a reserve role — a decision that caught some fans off guard, given how quickly he had been reinstated into the starting lineup after his return.
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It’s worth noting that Collier had been a DNP-CD — did not play, coach’s decision — in the previous outing. That inconsistency makes his current fantasy basketball value a bit tricky to gauge. For daily fantasy players, he’s considered a risky pick right now, since his minutes could fluctuate depending on how head coach Will Hardy manages the new rotation.
Before his injury, Collier had carved out a strong reputation as a floor general. Last season, he averaged 11.5 points, 7.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and a steal per game in over 30 minutes of play, starting 46 contests. His court vision and pace-setting ability helped stabilize the Jazz’s offense, and fans were eager to see how he’d progress in his second year.
But with the emergence of rookie Ace Bailey — who has recently been promoted to the starting lineup and impressed in his debut with 10 points and seven rebounds — Hardy seems intent on testing different combinations early in the season. The current starting five now features Keyonte George and Svi Mykhailiuk in the backcourt, alongside Bailey, Lauri Markkanen, and Jusuf Nurkic in the frontcourt.
For Collier, this shift to the bench might not be a demotion as much as it is a tactical move. The Jazz are still fine-tuning their chemistry, and having a playmaker of his caliber leading the second unit could give them a spark off the bench. With more than 70 games remaining, Hardy’s adjustments are far from final, and Collier’s opportunity to reclaim a starting spot could easily return if he continues to stay healthy and productive.
So while Isaiah Collier’s role is changing for now, it might just be part of the Jazz’s long-term plan — one that balances development, depth, and flexibility in a season still very much up for grabs.
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