The Utah Jazz is caught between a rock and hard place. The Utah Jazz’s regular-season strategy is still being discussed around the water cooler. Is it going to be a tank job from the start, or can the Jazz do what they did at the trade deadline last year and make a run at the playoffs?
Whatever course Utah takes, there are advantages and disadvantages. If the Jazz opt to tank the season, can they maximize their draft position while Lauri Markkanen is still on the roster? According to The Bleacher Report, Utah’s chances for a top-five pick depend on whether they trade their best.
“If he stays, the Jazz will most likely be competitive and pick at the rear of the lottery again. If he’s moved, they should be in the running for the first choice.”
A handful of NBA teams, including the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, and Detroit Pistons, have already stated that they intend to win games this season, putting Utah in a difficult position. The fight to maximize the prospects of drafting the No. 1 anticipated overall pick, Cooper Flagg, will be fierce.
In a draft when more than one franchise-level player is expected, the small market Jazz need something to go their way. However, one in the hand is worth two in the bush, and there is no assurance that a top-5 choice will mature into the player Markkanen is today.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves are also doing the Jazz no favors. The profits from the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert transactions are moving downward. The Jazz have two first-round picks, but fans should expect them later in the draft.
This makes for an exciting couple of months till the new season begins. The next item on Utah’s summer agenda is to sign Markkanen to a contract extension. Markkanen will be eligible for a new contract on August 6. If Utah decides to extend him, his trade value will be higher because he will not be available on the free agent market in the summer of 2025.
The Jazz can try to maintain Markkanen while also bottoming out. Anyone who believes they can’t should look at the stats from last year. When tanking became a priority, the Jazz went 1-8 when Markkanen played. These were all games played before the All-Star break. If we count the The Jazz went 22-33 for the season when Markkanen was on the court. The Markkanen trade talks appear to have stalled for the time being, but they could pick up again once an extension is signed. Once that happens, the Golden State Warriors will be the team to watch. Stay tuned.
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