SALT LAKE CITY – Welcome to the Utah Jazz Mailbag! This week, we look at the futures of Vince Williams Jr. and John Konchar in Utah.
Each week, we will send out a prompt on X and BlueSky asking for the questions you have about the Jazz.
Then, we’ll respond to as many as we can in that week’s Jazz mailbag in the Jazz Notes podcast.
Question: Do you see the Jazz picking up Vince Williams Jr.’s team option next year?
Answer: In addition to acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr. in last week’s trade‑deadline blockbuster, the Jazz also added Vince Williams Jr. and John Konchar, two lesser‑known but experienced NBA veterans.
Though Jackson Jr. is the unquestioned centerpiece of the deal, it’s notable that the Jazz accepted Williams Jr.’s and Konchar’s contracts, even though the trade could have been completed without them.
Memphis wanted to shed veterans to avoid unnecessary wins as they tank toward the bottom of the standings. The Jazz, meanwhile, likely saw value in getting an early look at Williams Jr. and Konchar, who could help them next season.
jazz fans, meet @Vincentwiliams 💜
get to know his game and what he’s excited for 🏔️#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/MQCIZpi7wq
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 10, 2026
Instead of entering the summer in search of reliable veterans for next year’s playoff push, the Jazz can evaluate the two players now in what the NBA commonly calls “pre‑agency.”
Pre‑agency refers to acquiring players in advance of the offseason when teams have cap space, rather than competing for them on the open market.
Williams Jr.’s and Konchar’s arrival is reminiscent of the Jazz’s trade that sent Mike Conley to Minnesota, which also included Nickeil Alexander‑Walker to the Timberwolves, who became a meaningful contributor during the team’s back‑to‑back conference finals runs.
What do they make?
Even with Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen on the roster, the Jazz will likely lean on several young rotation players next season, including Keyonte George (22), Ace Bailey (19), Walker Kessler (24), Isaiah Collier (21), and potentially another top rookie if they keep their first‑round pick.
That doesn’t include Cody Williams (21), Kyle Filipowski (22), and Brice Sensabaugh (22), all under contract and competing for second‑unit minutes.
throw it down, Jitty! 💥 pic.twitter.com/730N1pRSQ1
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 8, 2026
With so much youth, the Jazz will need enough veterans to steady the team during the regular season and into the postseason race, something both Konchar and Williams Jr. provided in Memphis.
Still, neither is guaranteed a spot.
With the Jazz expected to sign Kessler to a long‑term, nine‑figure deal this offseason, every dollar on the cap sheet matters. Even contracts worth just $6.1 million and $2.5 million — modest by NBA standards — the Jazz can’t waste money on players who won’t contribute.
What do they offer?
Beyond salary, the Jazz will weigh each player’s skill set, redundancies, and unique value.
Konchar is a “jack‑of‑all‑trades, master‑of‑none” wing who shoots, rebounds, and defends well enough, and doesn’t disrupt chemistry whether he plays or sits.
Williams Jr. is a defensive specialist in the backcourt with real playmaking instincts, though he struggles as a shooter.
On Utah’s roster, Williams Jr.’s defensive versatility and ability to serve as a third‑string point guard stand out — especially after the trade that sent rookie Walt Clayton Jr. to Memphis.
Every Vince Williams Jr. possession since joining the Jazz goes – chaos, chaos, chaos… absolute dime to someone wide open at the rim.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 10, 2026
Given his near‑minimum salary, Williams Jr. has a strong chance to remain with the Jazz next season and could realistically play his way into the rotation.
Konchar’s broader but less distinct skill set may carry less value in Utah, especially with Cody Williams, Ace Bailey, and Svi Mykhailiuk already on the wing.
Williams, Bailey, and Mykhailiuk have all shown real defensive promise this season, and all are younger than the newly acquired Konchar.
Bailey is a long‑term cornerstone, and the Jazz like Mykhailiuk’s team‑friendly, non‑guaranteed deal. Williams, a top‑10 pick, is overpaid for his current production but has shown meaningful growth and owns better physical tools and upside than the 29‑year‑old Konchar.
Will the Jazz keep both?
Ultimately, Konchar and Williams Jr. are low‑cost investments who could hold value as the Jazz try to take a step forward in a loaded Western Conference next season.
Konchar may be slightly overpriced relative to his likely role, but at worst, he represents a $6.1 million expiring contract and, at best, a well‑liked, dependable role player with postseason experience.
While no final decision has been made, fans should expect both Konchar and Williams Jr. to be in Utah next season — even if their exact roles are still unclear.
Ben Anderson is the author of the Jazz Mailbag, a Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports, the author of the Jazz Mailbag, and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone . Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.