Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson lead a young team featuring talented 2nd-year players and promising rookies.
Offseason
- Re-signing: Johnny Juzang, Lauri Markkanen
- Additions: Drew Eubanks (free agent), Patty Mills (free agent), Svi Mykhailiuk (free agent)
- Draft: Cody Williams (No. 10 pick), Isaiah Collier (No. 29), Kyle Filipowski (No. 31)
- Departures: Kris Dunn (to Clippers), Omer Yurtseven (waived)
- Unsigned Free Agents: Talen Horton-Tucker, Kira Lewis Jr., Luka Samanic
Last season
The slow but undeniable tumble from the Donovan Mitchell-Rudy Gobert era continued for the Jazz in a season that perhaps represented the bottom of the rebuild. Utah won 31 games and was, for the most part, mildly competitive. Markkanen was only so much for a team thirsty for top-level talent and played only 55 games.
The Jazz saw slippage from sixth man Jordan Clarkson, who shot 29.4% on 3-pointers. Meanwhile, Collin Sexton had his strongest showing since leaving the Cavaliers in the Mitchell trade (18.7 points per game, 4.9 assists per game). Everywhere else, there was inconsistent play from a sizable group of youngsters as the Jazz had 16 start at least one game.
Summer summary
The Jazz are in the early stages of sprucing up the house and have begun to spend some of their Draft capital — Utah has a bunch — to groom incoming rookies through player development. They spent a pair of first-round picks on Williams and Collier who had decent, but not overwhelming, stints in college. Such are the complexities when dealing with one-and-dones.
Utah also added Filipowski, one of the country’s better big men (7 feet, 250 pounds), and his tumble into the second round was seen as unexpected. The Jazz hope that soon, he’ll be seen as a steal.
Rookie spotlight
Meet Cody Williams of the Utah Jazz, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Spotlight on
Walker Kessler had an odd 2023-24 season. He remained a very good rebounder and one of the league’s elite rim protectors (2.4 blocks per game). Yet he averaged just 23 minutes and mainly came off the bench. Part of this was due to an offensive game that remains a work in progress. If he returns this season with a decent mid-range shot and improves in the pick-and-roll, his minutes and stats should rise.
How far can the Jazz go?
The summer priority was extending Markkanen at a reported five years at nearly $240 million. He gives Utah at least one player who can flirt with All-Stardom in what projects as another season of development.
And it could be transitionary, too. How much longer can Clarkson, Sexton and John Collins — all decent enough players — fend off young up-and-comers Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks and the rookies? The Jazz could be sellers at the trade deadline for one or more of those veteran players. Meanwhile, they’ll use the season to shake the roster and see who’s worth keeping to accompany Markkanen on the long haul.
Up next: Portland Trail Blazers | Previously: Minnesota Timberwolves
30 Teams in 30 Days: Complete schedule
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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