A few weeks before the start of the regular season, DNA of Sports begins its traditional presentation, franchise by franchise, of the upcoming NBA season. Like every year, this takes the form of a countdown, from the teams expected at the bottom of the ranking to our favorite for the champion title. Today, it’s the turn to examine the Utah Jazz, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this season in their Delta Center.
In full reconstruction after the end of the Mitchell-Gobert era, the Jazz had an encouraging season last year, with a surprise start to the season, started with a bang and a dashing offensive game, but a sluggish end, with 14 defeats in their last 20 matches. In the meantime, the “trade deadline” had confirmed the turn taken by the franchise which radically rejuvenated the workforce around its new All-Star, Lauri Markkanen.
In the Top 10 of the best attacks in the league (115.3 points scored on 100 possessions) last year, and among the youngest for the upcoming one, Will Hardy’s troop is getting closer to the group that can claim the “play-in “. The latter was precisely created for a team like the Jazz. Still forming and growing around a trio of Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and Atlanta newcomer John Collins.
It’s a daring experiment knowing that John Collins and Lauri Markkanen ultimately have quite similar profiles and that Walker Kessler is already taking up space in the paint.
Things are even seriously hampered in the interior sector of Jazz, knowing that there will also be minutes to give to the bronze medalist of the last World Cup, the Canadian veteran, Kelly Olynyk. Plus Omer Yurtseven (from Miami) and the young strong winger taken in 9th position in the last Draft, Taylor Hendricks.
At the back, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson seem to be the indisputable starters, a duo full of offensive liveliness. But these two are not tenors in defense, a sector where Jazz did not already shine…
SUMMER MOVEMENTS
Arrivals: John Collins, Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, Omer Yurtseven
Departures: Damian Jones, Rudy Gay, Vernon Carey Jr
PLAYER TO FOLLOW: JOHN COLLINS
The only real major recruit during the last offseason, the former Hawks outfielder arrived in Utah in a rather nebulous situation. With a big drop in confidence on outside shooting (from three seasons at 38% to 29% last year), he is best known for his dunks and his powerful conclusions on lobs.
A priori, he seems to be walking on the feet of Lauri Markkanen, the local All-Star who is precisely more comfortable on position 4 than on 3. Will Hardy has the offensive talent to set up systems capable of evolve together. Knowing that Walker Kessler already occupies the interior space, we ask to see…
In any case, John Collins arrives with two years guaranteed on his contract, and a third as a “player option”, at $25 million per season on average. The Jazz are making a bet, hoping to be able to revive the strong winger who was still playing a “double double” not so long ago.
Average age: 24.4 years
Payroll: $135.9 million (29th)
THE IDEAL SCENARIO
Author of an All-Star season last year, for his first career cap, Lauri Markkanen confirms his status. Better, he is all the more dangerous due to his versatility, as he is accompanied by John Collins and Walker Kessler, who form one of the most dynamic, tall and dangerous “frontcourts” in the League.
Collin Sexton manages to avoid physical problems to bring a little more danger from the back lines while, at the same time, Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson continue to fuel an inspired and altruistic attack, concocted by Will Hardy. The defense is still average but the attack more than makes up for it.
The Jazz’s youth, in fact, makes it one of the most attractive teams on the circuit, with recently drafted high talents, such as Taylor Hendricks (9th choice in 2023) and Ochai Agbaji (14th choice in 2022).
THE WORST SCENARIO
The surprise effect of last season has evaporated and the Jazz’s dynamic is seriously in decline. Lauri Markkanen and John Collins are stepping on each other’s toes, and things are even more confusing behind, with Kelly Olynyk, Simone Fontecchio and even the rookie Taylor Hendricks who are having a hard time finding a role.
In an unforgiving Western Conference, Utah is quickly sinking in the standings and must consider its options on the transfer market, while the franchise has plenty of financial room to maneuver with the second smallest payroll in the League. . John Collins, Jordan Clarkson, even Collin Sexton are potential candidates while the Jazz are still looking to make adjustments in an unbalanced squad.
| WESTERN CONFERENCE | ||||
| 15 – Blazers | 14 – Spurs | 13 – Rockets | 12 – Jazz | 11 – … |
| 10 – … | 9 – … | 8 – … | 7 – … | 6 – … |
| 5 – … | 4 – … | 3 – … | 2 – … | 1 – … |
| EAST CONFERENCE | ||||
| 15 – Hornets | 14 – Pistons | 13 – Wizards | 12 – Magic | 11 – Raptors |
| 10 – … | 9 – … | 8 – … | 7 – … | 6 – … |
| 5 – … | 4 – … | 3 – … | 2 – … | 1 – … |
