Team Name
Utah Jazz
Division
Northwest Division
Last Season
25-57 (5th in division)
Roster Additions
Trevor Booker is the only veteran brought in by the Jazz, as they hope to build a strong foundation of young players going forward. Booker played well in Washington last season and throughout his career, but will find himself in a crowded frontcourt with mainstays Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, and Rudy Gobert taking most of the minutes. He could provide an impact if any of these guys go down, so keep him on your radar.
Dante Exum and Rodney Hood are two of those young guns that the Jazz hope will make a huge impact right away. Exum was highly touted from Australia, and could take the starting poing guard spot immediately. Hood was more of a tweener in college but has shown the ability to shoot and drive in his early career. Many believe he was the steal of the draft, and now Utah is loaded with young talent this season.
Losses
Marvin Williams was expected to contribute in a big way when he came over from Atlanta, but those expectations were unreasonable. Williams played well in his two years in Utah, but now he joins the Charlotte Hornets. His departure opens up more minutes for guys like Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood.
Richard Jefferson is coming off of his best year in the last four years, but he leaves to once again shed salary and open up playing time for the younger guys. The Jazz have been very clear with their intentions, hoping to start over with a young team and a new head coach. Jefferson played in every game last year, which is perhaps more an indication of the state of the Jazz than the state of his playing abilities this late in his great career.
Key Success Factors
1. Gordon Hayward has to earn it – Hayward was rewarded for his play in Utah and for his expected contributions going forward with a four year, $63 million contract. Many questioned the decision but if they did not re-sign him he would have gone to Charlotte. Hayward is a good player, but has never been viewed as a max-money guy. Now is his chance to show that he is that guy. Hayward has to improve with the ball and in various offensive situations such as the pick-and-roll. I believe Hayward has the tools to do it, but whether he does will show where the Jazz are heading pretty quickly.
2. Minimize coaching growing pains – There is no doubt that joining an NBA franchise as a first-time head coach is a daunting task. For the Jazz to be successful, new head coach Quin Snyder is going to have to hit the ground running. Utah seems intent on letting him grow, which indicates that this season could be a long one. If Snyder can get production and growth out of his young players, however, the front office could view this season as a real success.
3. Dominate the backcourt – This team is loaded with high potential guards that could break out this season. Trey Burke and Alec Burks are the incumbents, but will be challenged by Dante Exum and even Toure’ Murry, who the team brought in from New York this offseason. While Gordon Hayward will probably have the ball in his hands more this year, he still is adept at playing off the ball, and in order to diversify the offense the Jazz will need to have other primary ball handlers. Burke and Exum fit that role, with Burks playing more of a scoring guard. Either way, the guards will have to step up this season to complement a solid frontcourt.
Fantasy Impact
Studs
Derrick Favors - Speaking of solid frontcourts, Favors is expected to have a monster year for the Jazz. His numbers have climbed as he has become more comfortable in his role and learned how to score in the NBA. He averaged career bests across the board, with over 13 points and 8 rebounds per game. Those stats are set to increase again as he cements himself as the most impactful force in the paint.
Enes Kanter - Kanter was thrust into the spotlight after having to sit out through his only year in college. Perhaps he was not ready for the NBA, but he appears ready to break out now. After averaging a career high 12 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last year while only starting 37 games, Kanter is primed for a breakout season. With more minutes available and more years under his belt, expect Kanter to finally live up to the hype.
Duds
Dante Exum – I know Exum was highly touted, but it is not often a rookie point guard has real fantasy value. Combine the difficult learning curve that comes with running an NBA offense with a crowded backcourt and you get a player who is drafted based solely for his name. Exum should be avoided until he proves he is capable of putting up consistent numbers, and I simply do not see that happening this year. Avoid at all costs, but keep an eye out if you’re in a tight spot late in the season.
Sleeper
Rudy Gobert – Gobert broke out this summer with the French national team at the FIBA World Cup, and though his numbers were modest overall, for him they were a vast improvement over his rookie year. Gobert is a sleeper that can provide rebounds and blocks, which always come at a premium in fantasy. He won’t give you double digit points every night, but he is a solid plug and play, with the potential to be even better than that. Take a flier late, and reap the rewards later.
2014 Season Predictions
MVP – Gordon Hayward
LVP – Steve Novak
Finish – 13th seed in the West, miss playoffs
The Jazz are not playoff bound this year, but I don’t think they ever intended to be either. This is clearly a team trying to set itself up for the future, stockpiling young talent to develop as they go. Utah should get better late in the season, but in the stacked West it’s hard to entertain the idea that they are making the playoffs. Another lottery finish; perhaps another future star on their draft board?