The Jazz have been the hot team this summer. Some people are buying the hype, like the Ringer’s Jonathan Tjarks who wrote his July 11th article “Without the luxury of taking consensus stars at the top of the draft, the Jazz stick to a few core principles to find undervalued talent. They select for size and speed, and they look for versatility on both sides of the ball. They also give themselves multiple shots at the apple almost every year, ransacking the Nets’ cupboard in the Deron Williams trade and renting out their cap space for picks to allow the Warriors to sign Andre Iguodala. From 2010 to 2015, the Jazz consistently acquired core players with a height range from 6-foot-6 to 7-foot-2, across all positions.” And others, like another The Ringer member and bigwig Bill Simmons on the Ringer NBA podcast. says “The Utah Jazz, are everyone’s stick up the ass team and I think it’s going to backfire on them big time. I still don’t understand that team... I mean, two minutes left in the game, who’s getting the ball? Because I've seen Gordon Hayward in those situations... I don’t see it, and I see them losing a lot of close games, also, I’m going to throw this out there, I’m not totally sold on Quin Snyder.” These are burning hot takes. And I’ll go season by season to see how the Jazz made the roster they have now, and what I see for the Jazz in the near future.
The Jazz organization has changed big time. The days of Jerry Sloan and Phil Johnson on the bench, Kevin O'Connor as the General Manager, and Larry Miller and Greg Miller as the owner, are long gone. But now a fresh, new regime is now in place. Now, Gail Miller is at the helm as the owner, Dennis Lindsey as the General Manager, and Quin Snyder as the head coach. The motto has been “not skipping steps”. For past four years, the Jazz hasn't skipped steps, at all. In fact, they’ve stepped on each step on the staircase.
It all started July 1st of 2013 when the whole franchise evolved. The Jazz let go a plethora of players starting with Al Jefferson, DeMarre Carroll, Earl Watson, Jamaal Tinsley, Mo Williams, Paul Millsap, and Randy Foye. Resigning none of these players besides Jamaal Tinsley. This was the start of a new era in Salt Lake City. They focused on tearing it all down and build on young pieces and assets they have, with the assets they’re going to have.
2013-14 Offseason
In the 2013 draft, the Jazz selected Trey Burke at #9 overall, which is Dennis Lindsey’s first and really last mistake. Then, in that draft, they took Rudy Gobert at #27. Which is one of General Manager Dennis Lindsey’s best picks. Before the 2013-14 season, the Jazz made a huge trade with the Golden State Warriors. This trade happened because the Warriors needed to clear up cap space to sign Andre Iguodala. Here are the trade details per Utah Jazz website: “The Jazz receive veterans Biedrins, Jefferson and Rush from Golden State in addition to two future unprotected first-round picks (2014 and 2017) and two future second-round picks (2016 and 2017) from the Warriors, a future second-round pick from the Nuggets (2018), and cash considerations. As part of the deal, the Jazz re-signed free agent guard Randy Foye and traded him to Denver, and sent guard Kevin Murphy to Golden State. Golden State also receives guard Andre Iguodala from Denver (via a sign-and-trade agreement) while sending the Nuggets a future second-round pick (2018).” So this was the start of the rebuilding road. During the 2013-14 season, they were the 5th worst team in the NBA. For which in turn, they received the 5th and the 23rd pick from the Golden State Warriors in the 2014 draft.
2014-15 Offseason and regular season
With the 5th pick in the 2014 draft, the Jazz selected Dante Exum, the speedy young Australian. And with the steal of the draft the Jazz selected the sharpshooter Rodney Hood. Many forget how fortunate Utah was when they were able to select Exum and Hood in that draft. At the time, the Jazz desperately needed a point guard and another scoring wing. And they got both in that draft. Draft experts during that 2014 draft had their top four of Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Joel Embiid, and Dante Exum. But the Magic selected Aaron Gordon with the fourth pick. After the draft, Utah made some moves. Gordon Hayward was a restricted free agent this offseason and the Jazz organization felt the obligation to bring him back to Utah no matter the cost. Well, the Charlotte Hornets offered Hayward the max offer sheet, Utah matched the offer and got Hayward back on a four year 64 million dollar deal. During the 2014-15 season at the trade deadline, Utah traded the disgruntled Enes Kanter to Oklahoma City Thunder for a 2019 first round draft pick, Kendrick Perkins, Grant Jerrett, and the rights Tibor Pleiss. This made room for Rudy Gobert to start at center and for him to break out, and he sure did. The Jazz, after the trade deadline improved on the defensive end and create the second best defense in the league with the second best record after the All-Star break. They finished the season at 38-44 giving them the 12th pick in the draft.
2015-16 Offseason and regular season
The hopes were high coming into this season, the Jazz made minor moves during this offseason and regular season, expecting Alec Burks to be back healthy and the group to develop. Utah signed Raul Neto and Joe Ingles to the roster. Then, once again, Dennis Lindsey does amazing things and drafts Trey Lyles forward from the University of Kentucky. A versatile player who stands 6’10 and can dribble, pass, shoot and drive. If you have seen any of his late season tape or this summer’s summer league, you know how special and unique he is. During the trade deadline, Utah traded their second round pick for point guard Shelvin Mack. The Jazz struggled with injuries during the season and they ended up one game out of the playoffs having a 40-42 record. Giving them the 12th pick in the draft again.
2016-17 Offseason
Now this is where the fun starts, and where the Jazz begin to finalize the mold of the franchise and team. It started when Utah traded their 12th pick for George Hill from the Indiana Pacers, signed Joe Johnson to a two year 22 million dollar contract, traded Trey Burke to the Washington Wizards for a second round pick, lastly, they traded Olivier Hanlan to the San Antonio Spurs for Boris Diaw and a second round pick. Lots of moves happened, but the Jazz made the moves to push them into the playoffs.
The Utah Jazz has now entered ‘win now” mode. With the additions of savvy veterans like George Hill, Boris Diaw, and Joe Johnson, it not only helps the Jazz for veteran leadership, but they will help more on the court. The roster stands as is: George Hill, Rodney Hood, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert, Dante Exum, Alec Burks, Joe Johnson, Trey Lyles, Boris Diaw, Jeff Withey, Joe Ingles, Tibor Pleiss, Shelvin Mack, and Raul Neto.
The Jazz hasn't made the playoffs in four years, but I think that will change this year. Utah’s team has been constructed beautifully. In particular, the versatility of their team. They have wings who all can guard the 1-4 positions, they have power forwards who can switch and defend the 2-4 positions, and point guards who can guard and play both the point guard and shooting guard positions. Even though the Jazz still are a grit and grind team with Favors and Gobert, they have the ability to mix and intertwine with different lineups is exceptional. Also, are we forgetting how good this defense is going to be? Almost every player on the Jazz lineup with the exceptions of Trey Lyles, Rodney Hood, Alec Burks, and Raul Neto are positive defensive plus-minus. Also, you’re bringing in George Hill and Boris Diaw who both have a positive defense plus-minus rating, while adding a player, Joe Johnson, who has a positive offensive plus-minus rating.
Today's Fastbreak and Bleacher Report’s writer Andy Bailey put together a Wins Over Replacement for each team this free agency, and the Jazz was third on the list gaining six wins. They added George Hill, Joe Johnson, and Boris Diaw over Trey Burke and Trevor Booker. Not bad if I do say so myself.
“The Jazz don’t have a franchise player or a future star!” I hear this argument a lot, but I have to disagree, Dante Exum is their man. And the franchise is relying on Dante to become a star in this league. This team’s season and future hinges on Dante’s development. Even though it’s been awhile since we’ve seen him play, and the thing we remember was his rookie season. But, I do want to remind you of this youtube video, to see how good he was in last years summer league:
Overall, the Jazz has had a long rebuilding mode, but it’s now nearly complete. With all of the trades, signings, and draft picks Utah has built a strong core. Players have tremendous upside like Dante Exum and Rudy Gobert, to the players who have already have made their name in the league like Joe Johnson. The balance of age along with the offensive and defensive versatility will make the Jazz a playoff team this year, and a contending team in the future.
Opening Night Starting Lineup:
George Hill
Rodney Hood
Gordon Hayward
Derrick Favors
Rudy Gobert
Projected record and Conference standing for 2016-17:
50-32, 5th in the Western Conference
All stats and references are from NBA.com and Basketballrefrence.com unless previously noted
