“ The Jazz are having a bad season. But is it bad enough? “, the Deseret News recently askedwith the prospect of being able to secure the services of Cooper Flagg during the next Draft. The Salt Lake City newspaper considered that the series of meetings against the Hornets and the Pelicans had all its importance in this matter.
“ The Jazz need to lose them in order to stay on track for a bottom-three finish in the regular season and have the best chance at landing the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The problem is that the Jazz are entirely capable of winning these games “, almost seemed to miss everyday life.
“Problem” solved: before losing last night to the Thunder, the Jazz lost to the Pelicans twice, as well as to the Hornets. Thus, with 10 wins for 32 losses, the Utah franchise still has the second worst record in the league behind the Wizards.
Whether fully accepted or not, this internal strategy does not only make people happy. Lauri Markkanen is for example one of those who cannot support this practice of losing voluntarily to aim for a better place in the following Draft.
“ I don't think losing, or deliberately losing, should be part of professional sports. I feel like athletes always want to be competitive. I understand why some NBA franchises do it, but I think it sucks, in my opinion. There should be a better way to build teams. That's how it happens, so I understand it, but that's my opinion “, let go of the Finn.
Patty Mills always played with a purpose
Lauri Markkanen, who missed the three games in question due to back discomfort, is experiencing his most delicate exercise on a collective level since his arrival in Utah. During the first two seasons, his Jazz had been competitive, at least for part of the season.
This season started on a different basis, since there was, on several occasions, talk of possible transfers of experienced players – Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, Collin Sexton, etc. – to make room for young players.
The most experienced player, and the team's only NBA champion, Patty Mills shares his teammate's opinion. “ I have always played with a specific goal. So when there is no goal, it's difficult. It's clearly a business, and everyone realizes that when you get to this point. Certain situations will remind you of this. In the end […] our job is to go out into the field and help develop, teach, especially to these young people, how to be professionals », says the veteran.
Even if it involves defeats after being 25 points ahead. In the meantime, by remaining in the wagon of the losing teams, the Jazz could well end up being rewarded next May during the lottery…
| Lauri Markkanen | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | CHI | 68 | 30 | 43.4 | 36.2 | 84.3 | 1.2 | 6.3 | 7.5 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 15.2 |
| 2018-19 | CHI | 52 | 32 | 43.0 | 36.1 | 87.2 | 1.4 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 18.7 |
| 2019-20 | CHI | 50 | 30 | 42.5 | 34.4 | 82.4 | 1.2 | 5.1 | 6.3 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 14.7 |
| 2020-21 | CHI | 51 | 26 | 48.0 | 40.2 | 82.6 | 0.7 | 4.6 | 5.3 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 13.6 |
| 2021-22 | KEY | 61 | 31 | 44.5 | 35.8 | 86.8 | 1.0 | 4.7 | 5.7 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 14.8 |
| 2022-23 | UTH | 66 | 34 | 49.9 | 39.1 | 87.5 | 2.0 | 6.7 | 8.6 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 25.6 |
| 2023-24 | UTH | 55 | 33 | 48.0 | 39.9 | 89.9 | 2.2 | 5.9 | 8.2 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 23.2 |
| 2024-25 | UTH | 32 | 32 | 42.7 | 36.3 | 88.3 | 1.8 | 4.3 | 6.1 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 20.0 |
| Total | 434 | 31 | 45.7 | 37.4 | 86.8 | 1.4 | 5.8 | 7.2 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 18.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
