This offseason marks the third since the Utah Jazz decided to blow it up by trading away Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell. After another season of below .500 ball, the Jazz may look to improve their roster. They are in a prime position to do so, having cap room and assets to be aggressive in trades and free agency this offseason. Let’s take a look at Utah’s upcoming offseason.
2024 NBA Off-Season Preview: What’s Next For The Jazz
Season Recap
The Jazz season played out much like last year’s did. Though the Jazz didn’t get off to as hot of a start as last year. Coming into the trade deadline the Jazz were rolling winning 13 of their last 20 games. They had a 26-27 record and a real shot of making the play-in. However, the front office decided against this short-term win. Trading away Kelly Olynyk, Ochai Agbaji, and Simone Fontecchio at the deadline for more draft assets. The Jazz would then go 5-25 over the last 30 games of the season finishing with a 31-51 record. The Jazz ranked dead last in defensive rating with a 120 rating, one of the worst in league history. Yet it isn’t all doom and gloom in Utah. Lauri Markkanen had another productive season, averaging 23 points 8 rebounds and 2 assists on 48/40/90 shooting spilts. Rookies Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, and Taylor Hendricks showed promising flashes, especially down the stretch when they got more minutes. The three rookies combined for 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. Proving that they could all be potential core pieces.
Projected Cap Space and Draft Picks
Under the cap
The Jazz will have a projected 38 million dollars in cap space. Giving them the ability to be aggressive in free agency. The Jazz could use this money in free agency and try and sign a star like Paul Geroge. The Jazz can also use their cap room to absorb another team’s bad contract in exchange for future assets. With the new CBA, cap room has become more valuable and the Jazz are one of the few teams with a lot of it.
Draft Picks
10th, 29th and 32nd pick
- Ron Holland
- Nikola Topic
- Tidjane Salaün
- Ajay Mitchell
- Baylor Scheieramn
- Jaylon Tyson
- Terrence Shannon
The Jazz will have three picks in the upcoming draft. Two in the first round with picks 10 and 29 and one second-round pick at 32.
With the 10th pick the Jazz, should look to take a swing and add someone with all-star upside. Holland, Topic, and Salaün are three names that come to mind and one should be available at number 10. Holland averaged 20 points in the G-League this past season and has shown the most as a scorer. Topic is the best playmaker out of the three and is probably the best one in the class. Salaun is still very raw but has real shot-creation ability at 6’10. The Jazz have held workouts with all three prospects for a closer look.
The Jazz’s next two picks are very close together meaning most of the same players should be available at both selections. Depending on who the Jazz can draft at 10 this selection might vary. If the Jazz can select a guard like Topic at 10 they could look at one or two of the three wings here. Scheierman is the best shooter out of the trio, connecting on 38% of his threes last season. Tyson is the best passer out of the three, averaging 3 assists last season and is the youngest. Shannon has the most on-ball creation skill, averaging 20 last season. Ajay Mitchell is a guard who averaged 20 points, and he would be a great get if they aren’t able to take one at 10.
Pending Free Agents and Possible Departures
Free Agents
- Talen Horton-Tucker
- Kira Lewis Jr (restricted)
- Kris Dunn
- Luka Samanic
Reports suggest fifth-year guard Talen Horton-Tucker won’t be on the roster next season. With Horton-Tucker leaving, it would open more minutes for second-year wing Brice Sensabaugh. Lewis Jr didn’t play much after being traded to the Jazz at the deadline. The fourth-year guard is a restricted free agent allowing the Jazz time to decide if they would like him on the roster next season. Kris Dunn has fans in the front office and coaching staff in Utah. However, at 30, the veteran guard may look to sign with a contender for a chance to compete next season. It is unclear what the Jazz will do with Luka Samanic. Samanic isn’t an impact player or part of the Jazz long-term.
Trade Pieces
- Walker Kessler
- Jordan Clarkson
- John Collins
- 10th Overall Pick
The Jazz are willing to engage in trade talks surrounding second-year big man Walker Kessler. In his two-year career, Kessler has been a great rim protector and could be used in a deal for a star as a promising young player. The Jazz can add the no. 10 pick to sweeten any deal Kessler might be in. Clarkson is the longest-tenured Jazz and the only holdover from the Gobert/Mitchell era. The 30-year-old is a walking bucket and is on a team-friendly deal. A contender might look at him as the missing piece to their roster and be willing to spend future picks on him Collins will be the toughest player to move, He has two more years on his deal at $26 million. Collins, while productive with the Jazz, doesn’t fit the team’s timeline and takes away minutes from their young players.
Realistic Offseason Targets
Trade Targets
The Jazz have been reported to be interested in adding star talent to the roster this offseason. With the cap room and assets they process very few stars should be off the table. The Jazz should be looking for guards to fill the hole left by Mitchell. Young fills that hole, providing an instant number-one option and an elite playmaker for the team. The defense would be worse with Young but it would turn the Jazz into an elite offense. Garland is another option they could look to add at point guard. Garland would be cheaper to get than Trae and do the same things Young does just slightly worse. The Jazz could look to upgrade their front-court talent as well. Allen would be a great fit for this team. He does all the good things Kessler does while being a much better offensive weapon. Lastly, the Jazz might look to add young talents through trades and could get a promising wing in Williams. The Bulls might not want to pay the fourth-year wing and could send him to Utah in a sign and trade for draft picks.
Free agents
There is belief around the league that the Jazz might look to add some star power in the offseason. The 2024 free agent class isn’t the most star-studded one, but there are a few interesting names. The Jazz will have upwards of 38 million dollars which they could use to try and sign Geroge or DeRozan. Both wings would instantly become the best or second-best player on the roster and fill a hole at the small forward position. The Jazz have shown interest in Harris as well, and he would add talent and a veteran presence. The Jazz could take a different route and look to spend their money on veteran leadership and locker-room guys like Temple and Jordan.
This offseason might provide some clarity on what the Jazz’s front office thinks of this team and core group. The Jazz have the money and assets to be aggressive in looking for a star to pair alongside Markkanen. On the other hand, the Jazz could use that cap room to absorb bad contracts and get more assets to build their team with.
