If the primary quarter of this NBA common season confirmed something for the Utah Jazzis that this group has work to do earlier than changing into a severe contender in a tricky Western Convention.
The Jazz began this yr with a 5-19 file, rating within the backside two within the West subsequent to New Orleans Pelicansrank within the backside ten within the NBA in offensive and defensive score, and are well-positioned to attempt to safe Cooper Flagg or one other high prospect this upcoming offseason.
And that high prospect subsequent summer season may very well be simply what the Jazz may use of their lengthy rebuilding course of. Utah is now getting into yr three of the post-Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert period, and plenty of nonetheless have a look at this roster questioning the place the cornerstones of the longer term are.
That is precisely the topic Cash launderers report and Grant Hughes addressed as they contemplated a “robust query” for each NBA group up to now this season. For Jazz, their introduction was easy: the place is the cornerstone?
“It is a good factor the Utah Jazz have a dozen first-round picks and another commerce within the subsequent 5 drafts, as a result of it would not seem any of their latest picks are able to being a basic piece,” Hughes stated. . “It is early for latest first rounders Keyonte George, Cody Williams and Taylor Hendricks (at the moment out for the yr), however none of them have proven clear beginning potential this season…We now enter In yr three after buying and selling Donovan Mitchell and Rudy to spark a rebuild, it is not clear the Jazz have something near a cornerstone.
Over the previous three offseasons, the Jazz have achieved a strong job bringing collectively future belongings and younger gamers to assist bolster their rebuild following the blockbuster offers with Mitchell and Gobert. The progress made is spectacular, particularly contemplating their final three drafts and upcoming first-round picks.
But other than Lauri Markkanen, nobody on the roster has confirmed to be an elite All-NBA caliber expertise. The arrow is beginning to level round Walker Kessler in his third yr, however guys like Keyonte George, Cody Williams and Taylor Hendricks talked about have all had inhibiting elements to actually attain their acknowledged ceiling.
The fellows drafted this summer season and the earlier two nonetheless have loads of room to develop and have time on their aspect, however when evaluating the Jazz to a number of the different youth actions within the NBA, the expertise continues to be just a few steps away . removed from actually piling up.
Even regardless of the Jazz’s latest struggles within the standings, they have not managed to crack the highest 5 to actually set up themselves among the many high prospects. Utah has achieved nicely with late lottery picks and deeper first (or second) spherical picks, all issues thought of. Nonetheless, one other cornerstone to pair alongside Markkanen can be a major addition to this budding younger core.
Fortuitously for the Jazz, this upcoming 2025 draft class presents an ideal alternative to strengthen their present core of younger gamers. Whether or not it is Flagg or one other high-end prospect like Dylan Harper or Ace Bailey, there are many causes to be optimistic heading into subsequent summer season.
Issues will not be wanting good for the Jazz by way of wins and losses within the meantime, however there’s a mild shining on the finish of the tunnel.
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