To get us through the late-Summer doldrums of the NBA, we’re reviewing teams from around the league and how their offseasons went.
Utah Jazz
Key Additions:
Cody Williams
Isaiah Collier
Kyle Filipowski
Drew Eubanks
Key Losses:
Kris Dunn
Talen Horton-Tucker
Darius Bazley
Omer Yurtseven
Offseason Review and 2024-25 Season Outlook:
The Utah Jazz had themselves some fun this summer. No, they didn’t make any major splashes or roster moves, but they got their kicks by dangling the idea that the might trade Lauri Markkanen only to end up not making a trade after all. Classic Danny Ainge. Instead the Jazz did a raise-and-extend deal with Markkanen, and due to come CBA nuances Lauri is not eligible to be traded this summer. The Jazz will basically run it back another year, with their most notable addition being Cody Williams, a rookie who I’m pretty high on overall.
The Jazz are in no hurry to chase success, and there’s no reason to expect them to give an honest effort this season. They’ll start the season winning more than people expect, they’ll dangle their productive players at the trade deadline, Danny Ainge will ask for way too much in return, few moves will actually happen, and then the Jazz will tank down the stretch to improve their odds for Cooper Flagg.
Why We Hate Them:
Danny Ainge, mostly.
Cooper Flagg seems a perfect fit for SLC. Though Ace Bailey, Nolan Traore or Khaman Maluach (from his Olympics showing) would also be nice.
I am guessing that Danny Ainge is putting his eggs in the 2025 basket as well. Nothing else makes much sense.
I am surprised that John Collins is still on their roster. That makes little sense to me. But I am not a wily, crafty, experienced GM. I am silly community member of TKH.
I see Utah as ahead of Portland and that’s about it. Memphis should be mostly back in form, and Wemby, Pop and the rock pounders should be around the same or better in making more music than the Jazz to round out the bottom 3. And with the Western Conf all around better, I expect no more than 15- 25 wins for any of them.
I’m also surprised Collins is still there. Lauri really is a 4 and doesn’t have the foot speed to keep up with quicker wings, which makes me wonder why Ainge has loaded up on so many bigs.
In all reality they have 3 legit centers in Kessler, Eubanks, and Filipowski. Then they have 3 PFs in Lauri, Collins and Hendricks (who I think is going to be good).
I’m just not sure what Ainge is planning.
Could be a super duper mega deal for all of the Kings guards?
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