Utah Jazz to Join Las Vegas Summer League

Back in 2004, the Vegas Summer League was formed and its growth eventually led to the demise of the Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City. The Utah Jazz, which had supported the summer league event in its city, vowed not to participate in Las Vegas.

But the Jazz, which has had a connection to Las Vegas going back to the mid-1980s when it played some of its home games at the Thomas &Mack Center, has had an apparent change of heart. It will field a team for the first time when the NBA Summer League tips off its 11-day run July 11 at the Thomas &Mack and Cox Pavilion for what will be its 10th anniversary season of competition.

Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey said it is important for the Jazz to develop its young talent closer to home.

“Having our training camp in Orlando was difficult for us, and we felt it was time to move forward,” Lindsey said. “We feel there’s a natural tie-in with Las Vegas, and it’ll be great for our fans to follow us and be able to see our young players. We’re very excited about the move.”

via Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal