The 23-year-old forward called the timing “funny,” but said he didn’t have any particularly strong emotions as he prepared to play in Utah — but not for a Utah-based team for the first time since high school. He has a house and a girlfriend in Utah, and while he’s now playing for the Milwaukee Bucks instead of the Jazz, it’s very much still his home.
The Jazz parted ways with him in October, cutting him from the final roster in favor of guard Royce O’Neale. The Jazz had lots of positive things to say about him at the time, and coach Quin Snyder echoed some of those sentiments before Saturday night’s game.