The Utah Jazz are coming off another solid season. Going 50-32, it was enough for them to snag a fifth-place finish in the Western Conference. Unfortunately for the Jazz, their season ended in the first round by way of a 4-1 series loss to the Houston Rockets. But the Jazz have reloaded and added some new weapons. It is the acquisition of new talent, as well as the return of stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert that make this team so intriguing to watch as we come upon the season.
Key Additions: Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanović
The Utah Jazz acquired the long-time Memphis Grizzly Mike Conley in a trade mid-July. Conley, though he has never made an All-Star team, is a perfect point guard to pair beside Mitchell. Conley has been in the league for more than a dozen years now and brings a ton of playoff experience. He’s slowly improved his shooting and is one of the best “true” point guards in the game. He’ll do just fine.
Bojan Bogdanović will also provide more three-point shooting. He had a breakout season with the Indiana Pacers last year and was a big reason why they made the playoffs after Victor Oladipo went down. Bogdanovic and Joe Ingles will make a pretty good shooting duo.
Key Losses: Derrick Favors
Ricky Rubio, Grayson Allen, and Jae Crowder were all lost during the offseason. However, their losses are not that significant as much as Favors because the Jazz upgraded at every other position. The offense of Favors may not be missed much, but his 6’10 size will be. At the moment, the Jazz have no real replacement at the power forward spot. Time will tell if one of the bench players will be able to step up.
Potential Starting Lineup: Conley, Mitchell, Ingles, Bogdanovic, Gobert
For now, I believe the Jazz will run a small-ball lineup with Ingels and Bogdanovic on the floor together. Do I like it? Not really. both are 6’8 and maybe a liability as it pertains to guarding true bigs, but perhaps their ability to stretch the floor will outway the negatives.
Projected Wins: 53
It’s a small leap, but in a pact Western Conference, two more wins could mean the difference between fifth and second place. On paper, the Jazz
