As we look back at the NBA’s top rebuilding teams, Utah Jazz to be at the heart of the mix with one of the most attractive young cores to build with moving forward.

Sure, the elite draft pick hasn’t been found in their most recent offseasons to put this group over the top, but an established foundation has grown year over year. This effectively makes them one of the most intriguing teams in the NBA for the foreseeable future, and could have several names on hand that could become the roster’s top contributors in due time.

As we await the imminent start of the 2024-25 NBA season, Bleacher Report have recently shared their predictions for the best players on each list in three years, where the Jazz received some intriguing analysis.

When choosing the Jazz’s best player for the 2027 season, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report predicts Lauri Markkanen will continue to lead Utah’s roster, and potentially be in the running for an All-NBA selection:

“If he’s still in Utah in three years (and there’s every reason to believe he wants to be), it’s a pretty easy bet that he’ll still be the team’s best player… Both a high-level catch-and-shooter and a basket-shaking dunker, Markkanen consistently puts the ball in the basket with little to no wasted time or movement. If he becomes a bit more consistent on defense and the Jazz’s younger players catch up to his development, he could be in the All-NBA mix by 2027.”

Andy Bailey, Bleacher Report

Markkanen, the last player to get a contract extension, has a good chance of becoming the Jazz’s top contributor even if the timeline moves up three years. Markkanen is just 27 and has a significant number of productive seasons ahead of him, especially since his game is not about beating around the bush and relies on his athleticism.

In addition to Markkanen, Bailey also outlined a list of different candidates who could be the face of Utah’s roster in 2027, naming “members of the 2023, 2024 and 2025 draft classes” among the Jazz’s “other contenders” group. However, Markkanen remains the leader in the rankings.

Markkanen is coming off another breakout year in Utah, averaging 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists on 48.0 percent shooting from the field and 39.9 percent from three-point range.

As a unique seven-footer with two-way ability, Markkanen has endless potential to remain Utah’s top dog for some time, but the Jazz also have a stockpile of young players and upcoming draft picks who also have a chance to become the No. 1 option in Salt Lake City.

It goes without saying that the Jazz have a clear star to build around in Markkanen and can continue to do so with his long-awaited renegotiation and extension coming to fruition earlier this offseason.

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