[KingslayerParticipant]

This is part 2 of a series outlining the upcoming offseason for each team. Each part will break down a team’s cap situation, its short-term & long-term roster outlook, and how each team may approach the draft and free agency. Part 2 will be… the Utah Jazz!

2015/2016 record: 40-42 *Contract values courtesy of Spotrac

Roster (16/17 salary) – Hayward ($16.1 mil), Favors ($11 mil), Burks ($10.2 mil), Exum ($3.9 mil), Burke ($3.4 mil), Pleiss ($3.0 mil), Lyles ($2.3 mil), Ingles ($2.2 mil), Hood ($1.4 mil), Gobert ($2.1 mil), Neto ($937,800). TOTAL =~ $59 million

FA’s & Contract options (16/17 salary/FA cap hold) – Booker (UFA, $6.2 mil cap hold), Mack (TO, $2.4 mil), Johnson (TO, $1.1 mil), Withey (TO, $1.0 mil).

R1 Draft picks (16/17 salary) – 12^th overall ($2.3 mil)

Total Cap Commitment: $59 mil + $2.3 mil = $61.3 million. $30.7 million in projected cap space.

The Jazz have a talented young team, with their core of Hayward, Gobert, Favors, Hood, Exum, Burks & Lyles all being 26 or younger. They have plenty of cap space this offseason, however their long term cap flexibility will be hindered as these young players come off their 1^st/2^nd contracts. Gobert and Hayward each only have 1 year remaining on their current deals, while Favors, Exum and Hood have 2 years remaining. Utah would be wise to try and extend Rudy this offseason to get whatever discount they can on him. They already have 11 players under contract for next season, and 3 more players with cheap team options. Given that, and the looming contract extensions coming in the next couple years, they likely won’t make a huge splash in free agency this offseason. With the 12^th pick in the draft and no significant needs, they could look to add a high upside player. They may also look to draft an immediate contributor who fits with the team, to help them get over the hump into the playoffs. Either way, I think they should draft a shooter to continue balancing out their excellent mix of creators and interior bigs.

Backcourt – The Jazz have ridiculous depth & versatility in their backcourt/wing rotations. Exum will be given every chance to show he can greatly improve on his rookie performance, even coming off a serious injury. Mack seemed to pass over Burke and Neto after the trade, so they will likely guarantee the last season of his contract. Burke is a prime candidate to be traded this offseason; surely they don’t need 4 PGs. Hayward and Burks are a nice fit with Exum/Mack as wings that can handle & create, and Hood/Ingles provide much-needed 3 Pt shooting. I think Hayward and especially Hood have some more room to grow and develop.

 

Frontcourt – While they don’t have nearly as much depth inside, the Jazz’s frontcourt has arguably even more upside. Favors is still only 24 years old, Gobert has monstrous defensive potential, and Lyles showed some nice flashes as a rookie. Lyles is a great fit as a shooter next to either of them, and I believe they sometimes play super small with Hayward & Hood at the forwards spots next to Favors or Rudy. Favors is essentially the backup C when Gobert is on the bench, but they should look to find another versatile F/C, as Lyles and Gobert are pretty much 1-position players. They should have a number of potential floor-spacers to choose from with the 12^th pick to round out the frontcourt (Davis, Maker, Chriss, Elllenson, Skal). I think there’s a good chance they draft one of those 5 players if they stay at 12.

Outlook – The Jazz are trending in the right direction. They should be able to improve into a playoff team next season and have the potential to take a big step forward with continued player development and a little more luck with injuries. Do they have the pieces in place to become a contender in the next 2-3 years?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Captain LParticipant]

 Totally agree and I love what Lyles has to offer, I think he can be special at least on the offensive side of the ball.

[Captain LParticipant]

 Totally agree and I love what Lyles has to offer, I think he can be special at least on the offensive side of the ball.

[Hype Machine]

So what youre saying is…

my favourite prospect Simmons goes to my least favourite team (76ers)…

And my least favourite prospect (Skal) goes to my favourite team (Jazz)…

 

Damn..Im gonna need a lot of booze for this draft…

 

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

So what youre saying is…

my favourite prospect Simmons goes to my least favourite team (76ers)…

And my least favourite prospect (Skal) goes to my favourite team (Jazz)…

 

Damn..Im gonna need a lot of booze for this draft…

 

 

 

 

[D7H7NParticipant]

I don’t expect Gobert to do any extensions this year if he’s smart. I’m sure when becomes a RFA some team is going offer him a lot of money and Utah will have to match it.

Personally I would try to move Burks and Exum to free up space to sign Mike Conley.

 

 

[D7H7NParticipant]

I don’t expect Gobert to do any extensions this year if he’s smart. I’m sure when becomes a RFA some team is going offer him a lot of money and Utah will have to match it.

Personally I would try to move Burks and Exum to free up space to sign Mike Conley.

 

 

[Author]

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