In our final Western Conference preview prior to the NBA season’s tip-off, we delve into the new-look Jazz, who last season, went 49-33 before being eliminated by Dallas in the first-round. In these previews, we will take a look at the key acquisitions, fantasy stars and predicted finish.
Key Acquisitions
Utah were the NBA’s busiest team this offseason trading away All-Stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell and parting ways with long-time head coach Quin Snyder.
They traded Gobert to Minnesota in July for Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt and five future firsts before sending Mitchell to Cleveland in September for Ochai Agbaji, Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton and another five future firsts. In separate moves, they sent Bojan Bogdanović to Detroit for Kelly Olynyk and Saben Lee and Patrick Beverley to the Lakers for Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson.
Sexton firms as their biggest addition after they agreed on a sign-and-trade for the 23-year-old guard worth $72 million over four seasons. Sexton played in just 11 games last season for Cleveland after undergoing season-ending meniscus surgery. In 60 games the year prior, however, he averaged 24.3 ppg and 4.4 apg on .573 TS%. A streaky shooter with an ability to create opportunities for those around him and make inroads as a driver, Sexton will be entrusted as the engine of Utah’s offence under first-year head coach Will Hardy.
Markkanen, who was also a part of the Mitchell trade, will hope for a production leap under Hardy after averaging 14.8 ppg and 5.7 rpg in 61 starts for Cleveland last season. A capable stretch four, Markkanen offers Utah an offensive option out of the post as well as steady-ish rebounding and a willingness to contest shots at the rim. Now in his sixth year in the NBA, Markkanen will be eager to solidify a role in Utah as they enter year one of their rebuild.
Vanderbilt is fresh off an interesting year with the Timberwolves in which he played in 74 games and established himself as one of the league’s elite perimeter defenders. At just 23, he has a tonne of room for growth on offence but has already been tasked with regularly matching up against opponents’ primary perimeter scorers and has proven to be a difference-making defender and rebounder. Utah’s coaching staff will hope he makes strides as a shooter – he has made only three of 21 three-point attempts since entering the league – and finisher around the rim.
Fantasy Stars
Utah’s roster is noticeably weak after the departures of Mitchell, Gobert, and Bogdanović so determining a fantasy standout is difficult.
Sexton averaged in the top 20 for scoring in his last full season and is expected to be a focal point of Utah’s offence this season. With Mike Conley’s future in Utah uncertain and the lack of initiators outside of him, the team will be hoping Sexton can make strides as a passer to alleviate some pressure off his fellow ball-handlers.
Projected Finish
Utah have made it clear from the outset through their roster moves that their focus is on landing a high draft pick over the summer as their rebuild kicks into gear. The likes of Conley, Malik Beasley, Jordan Clarkson and Rudy Gay will hear their names swirl around in trades talks throughout the next few months as Utah embraces the tank. Their rebuild is, however, off to a strong start; they have an overabundance of draft picks to pair alongside the likes of Sexton, Agbaji, Vanderbilt, Horton-Tucker and Kessler moving forward.
