NBA Notes: Jazz, expectations, Heat, Davion Mitchell, Clippers

Jazz

At minimum, the Jazz should be a play-in team during the 2026-27 season, Sarah Todd of the Deseret News wrote in a recent mailbag.

But there’s still plenty to figure out.

Jaren Jackson Jr. played just two games for Utah after arriving in February, while No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson will be entering his first NBA season. How quickly all of the pieces come together is likely to determine a lot.

Still, Todd noted that the Jazz practically had to work at losing games during portions of their rebuild. With the talent now on the roster, another season near the bottom of the standings would be difficult to envision.

Todd also expects Keyonte George to enter the season as Utah’s primary ballhandler, though coach Will Hardy has generally preferred an offense in which multiple players are capable of initiating.

Whether the Jazz eventually use some of their assets to pursue another established star is another question worth watching.

Heat

Davion Mitchell wasn’t particularly pleased with his defense last season, so he spent the summer trying to do something about it.

Mitchell has lost weight through an intensive offseason workout program, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.

Part of that offseason included a trip to Greece to work alongside new Heat teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Mitchell said the experience allowed him to begin learning how to play alongside the two-time MVP.

“He’s a winner. He just wants to win,” Mitchell said. “For me, I was just trying to learn the places I need to be on the court, what makes him more comfortable.”

Meanwhile, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel suggested Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo already belong in the conversation for the NBA’s best power combination.

That’s certainly what Miami had in mind when it made the blockbuster deal for Giannis.

Clippers

The Clippers are giving Yuki Kawamura another opportunity to stick in the NBA.

Los Angeles signed the 5-foot-7 point guard to an Exhibit 10 training camp contract, according to Tony East of Forbes.

Kawamura, 25, appeared in 18 games with the Bulls last season, averaging 3.4 points and 2.6 assists in 11.6 minutes.

He was considerably more productive in the G League, averaging 18.7 points, 11.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 11 appearances for the Windy City Bulls.

Kawamura will also have a familiar face waiting for him in Los Angeles. He’ll reunite with Japanese national team teammate Rui Hachimura during Clippers camp.

An Exhibit 10 contract is non-guaranteed and can be converted into a two-way deal. It can also allow Kawamura to earn a bonus if he’s waived and subsequently spends at least 60 days with the Clippers’ G League affiliate.