The Utah Jazz have spent the last few seasons collecting young talent without ever really focusing on winning. I think that changes this year.
Utah went 22-60 last season, but this roster looks completely different. They moved up to No. 2 in the draft. They landed Darryn Peterson, added Josh Green, Jaxson Hayes, and Josh Okogie, re-signed Jusuf Nurkić, and already had Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ace Bailey, and Keyonte George in place. Peterson is obviously the biggest addition, but there
is enough NBA talent here now that another sub-30-win season would be hard to understand.
Utah Jazz: Over/Under 37.5 wins
Over: -110
Under: -120
To win an NBA Championship: +12500
To win Western Conference: +6000
To win Northwest Division: +7500
Last season: 22-60, 15th in the West
Key additions: Darryn Peterson, Josh Green, Jaxson Hayes, Josh Okogie
Key losses: Walker Kessler, Cody Williams, John Konchar
Key re-signings: Jusuf Nurkić, Keyonte George
The case for the over starts with Peterson. I have extremely high expectations for him immediately. Utah did not just draft another developmental prospect. They drafted one of the best shot-makers in the class and someone I think can impact winning from Day 1. Put him next to Ace Bailey, who now gets another year of development, and suddenly Utah has two legitimate young building blocks instead of just a collection of prospects.
Then there is Markkanen. Health has obviously been the issue, but when he plays, he is still exactly the kind of offensive player you want around Peterson. He can shoot, score without dominating the ball, and punish defenses that load up on a primary creator. Jaren Jackson Jr. gives them another proven frontcourt piece, and even though I don’t love Keyonte George defensively, he averaged 23.6 points and 6.1 assists while shooting 37.1 percent from three. This roster has real scoring now.
Losing Walker Kessler hurts, but Utah at least attacked the position. Nurkić averaged 10.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists before his season ended, and Hayes gives them another athletic center who can run the floor and finish around the rim. It is not the same rim protection Kessler gave them, but I do not think the center spot ruins everything else they improved.
Thirty-eight wins is a massive jump from 22, but I honestly think Utah might have one of the biggest year-over-year improvements in basketball. Peterson, Bailey, Markkanen, and Jackson are a really compelling core if they stay healthy.
I am not ready to call them a playoff team, but they do not need to be one to hit this over.
