The Utah Jazz had a slow start to the offseason. They had to keep their salary cap open until August 6, when Lauri Markkanen’s contract became eligible for renegotiation and extension. Retaining the All-Star forward was the team’s top priority, and both sides had to deal with a contract extension request. quickly reached an agreement which keeps him locked up until 2029.
The Jazz still had work to do but didn’t take advantage of the free-agent frenzy. Utah isn’t looking to make the playoffs in 2025. They still need a full roster and pieces to help their young talent. The 82-game regular season will be full of twists and turns, with each team using more than 15 players.
The Jazz wisely added Patty Mills and Svi Mykhailiuk to round out their roster. The two veterans didn’t play much last year, but Utah doesn’t need them either. It was a great way to help their young talent and give them time to develop.
Mykhailiuk played just 41 games for 413 minutes last season for the defending champion Celtics. He’s a great 3-point shooter but has played more than 56 games just once in his six-year NBA career.
Mills played in 32 games and logged 415 total minutes last season. The 36-year-old was a key backup in San Antonio for a decade, but he’s on the decline of his career. Mills isn’t going to have a massive impact on the field at this point, but his experience and leadership can help a young team.
Mykhailiuk and Mills are fantastic players in the locker room. They won’t complain about their playing time or their shots. They’ll have to do what’s asked of them and play a role. The veterans will help the younger players develop without getting in their way.
Utah is focused on developing talent. They don’t need a veteran who wants to play 30 minutes a game or deserves a huge contract. The Jazz want Cody Williams and Taylor Hendricks to improve their shooting. Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier can learn a lot from a veteran guard with championship experience. The new signings fit their schedule and help the franchise achieve its goals.
The Utah Jazz are still in their early stages. They don’t expect to be competitive in the Western Conference this season, but the franchise continues to add pieces to their young core. The Jazz are still searching for their superstar, and finding them is likely the key to becoming a serious threat again. That’s exactly why it’s a smart move to add two veterans to the bench to help develop their young talent.
