Hey, I have spent the past week or two compiling this massive summary of each team’s season so far. I hope that y’all find this useful. Each team has all their basic stats, a paragraph written about their 3 best players, some lineup data, their strengths and weaknesses, a rank of how fun the team is to watch, as well as how important their season is (which probably should be viewed as their need to win urgency instead), some potential trades, and a summary.
**Utah Jazz (UTA)**
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**The Basics:**
Current Win-Loss: 24-25
Last 10: 5-5
Record Against top ten teams: 5-11
Expected Wins: 34.5
Current Pace: 40-42
Power Ranking Tier: Hit or Miss (C)
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**Team play:**
Offensive Rating: 115.3 (16th)
Defensive Rating: 117.9 (24th)
Net Rating: -2.6 (24th)
Pace: 100.7 (9th)
Best lineups: With at least ⅓ time as (the most played one(Most played will be in parentheses))
3: L. Markkanen – W. Kessler – S. Fontecchio
(3): L. Markkanen – C. Sexton – S. Fontecchio
Net Rating: 15.6
(Net Rating): 5.4
Minutes played(486): 199
4: L. Markkanen – C. Sexton – W. Kessler – S. Fontecchio
(4): L. Markkanen – J. Collins – C. Sexton – S. Fontecchio
Net Rating: 22.7
(Net Rating): 1.4
Minutes Played(275): 110
5: K. Dunn – L. Markkanen – J. Collins – C. Sexton – S. Fontecchio
(5): K. Dunn – L. Markkanen – J. Collins – C. Sexton – S. Fontecchio
Net Rating: 4.8
(Net Rating): 4.8
Minutes Played(209): 209
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**Three best players:**
Lauri Markkanen:
24 Points/ 9 Rebounds/ 2 Assists/ 1 Turnovers/ 1 Steals/ 1 Blocks 2pt%: 58.7% 3pt%: 39.6% Ft%: 87.7%
Lauri Markkanen’s tenure with the Jazz cements him as an indispensable cornerstone of the team. At 26, he continues to affirm that his breakout season was no mere stroke of luck, maintaining his stature as a multifaceted scorer even as defenses have had an offseason to tailor their strategies against him. Markkanen’s offensive arsenal is punctuated by his exceptional 3-point efficiency, particularly notable in catch-and-shoot situations. His defensive presence, though seemingly average, presents a nuanced impact; while the opponent team’s efficiency at the rim increases with him on the floor, the frequency of rim attacks decreases, suggesting a deterrent effect. Despite the high demands of his role, reflected in his usage rate, Markkanen’s ball-handling remains precise and secure. His playmaking, on the other hand, leaves a lot to be desired; he is capable of dishing out to the open man when necessary but is not a primary playmaker, wisely leaving that role to other teammates. His assertive approach not only racks up points but also frequently sends him to the free-throw line, where he excels. Continuously evolving, Markkanen is not just a scorer but a comprehensive player, whose influence is deeply woven into the team’s fabric, ensuring a strong, versatile presence on the court.
Walker Kessler:
8 Points/ 7 Rebounds/ 1 Assists/ 1 Turnovers/ 1 Steals/ 3 Blocks 2pt%: 68.3% 3pt%: 25.0% Ft%: 51.5%
Walker Kessler’s sophomore season with the Jazz is highlighting his defensive excellence in the paint, marked by instinctive shot-blocking and stable play, even amidst challenges like an elbow injury and adjusting to heightened expectations. Offensively, he’s efficient yet cautious, primarily scoring from second-chance opportunities, while his lack of a jump shot and lower-tier playmaking contribute to fluctuating playtime. Kessler’s high turnover rate against limited ball handling further underscores his ongoing adjustment to the NBA’s physicality and pace. Despite these hurdles, his fundamental defensive approach and presence on the offensive glass are shaping him into an invaluable component of the Jazz’s roster, with room for growth in offensive skills and playmaking. With increased playing time Kessler skills could warrant consideration for at the very least All-Deffensive team and at best Defensive Player of the Year.
Collin Sexton:
17 Points/ 3 Rebounds/ 4 Assists/ 2 Turnovers/ 1 Steals/ 0 Blocks 2pt%: 53.2% 3pt%: 38.0% Ft%: 87.7%
Collin Sexton’s current season with the Jazz underscores his pivotal role as both a potent scorer and a perceptive playmaker. His proficiency in midrange areas and promising open 3-point shooting establish him as a versatile offensive threat. Sexton’s adeptness extends to playmaking, where his strategic orchestration of plays effectively balances personal scoring with creating team opportunities. Despite this, his defensive challenges, particularly in guarding the perimeter and defending against 3-point shots, remain an area for improvement. His aggressive, yet measured approach frequently earns him trips to the free-throw line, capitalizing on his remarkable accuracy. As Sexton continues to refine his game, his blend of sharp offensive skills juxtaposed with his defensive shortcomings paints him as a crucial, yet complex, asset to the Jazz’s pursuit of success.
Strengths:
Although the Jazz had a shaky start to the season with a 9-17 record, they have since managed to win 15 of their next 23 games. The primary reasons for this turnaround are the adjustments to the starting lineup, moving players like Jordan Clarkson, Keyonte George, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Walker Kessler to the bench in favor of Collin Sexton, Simone Fontecchio, and Kris Dunn. The emergence of Sexton and Dunn has particularly bolstered the team, as Dunn provides the backcourt with much-needed playmaking and defense, while Sexton’s scoring proficiency allows Clarkson to exploit second units off the bench. This new lineup configuration also enables John Collins to play offensively as a center, a position where his deficiencies are minimized and his offensive talents can truly shine. The team continues to excel in rebounding, maintaining a ball movement-heavy offense, and frequently getting to the free-throw line.
Weaknesses:
The Jazz’s season has been characterized by notable defensive challenges, with particular vulnerabilities in perimeter defense and rim protection, allowing opponents to efficiently score from 3-point range particularly in the corners and at the rim. This defensive shortfall is exacerbated by a slower pace in transition, which hinders their ability to respond swiftly to opponent offenses. On the offensive front, the team shows strong scoring capabilities but faces hurdles with consistent 3-point execution and an over-reliance on predictable play types like pick-and-rolls. Although their aggressive play under the rim leads to commendable offensive rebounding and foul drawing, it doesn’t fully offset the impact of their shooting woes from beyond the arc. For the Jazz to leverage their potential and convert their efforts into more consistent wins, a strategic focus on shoring up their defensive dynamics and enhancing their offensive versatility will be essential.
Fun rating 4/6:
Based solely on their gameplay, this team would easily score a 5, but factors like arguably the league’s worst jerseys, a somewhat irksome broadcast duo, and a noticeable lack of marquee names slightly diminish their overall appeal. However, the team provides an undeniably thrilling experience for viewers. Watching Kris Dunn’s defensive masterclass is a spectacle in itself, ‘Point Olynyk’s’ unique playstyle never ceases to entertain, and Lauri Markkanen’s performance is nothing short of stellar, firmly establishing him as a bona fide star in the league.
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**The Future:**
Importance of season 2/5: Ride the wave
The Jazz are poised for a future that’s brighter than their jerseys, boasting a ton of potential cap space, a plethora of young talents, and a treasure trove of future draft picks. Positioned with strategic flexibility, they hold the keys to various paths forward. If the team opts for a push towards contention, their rich asset pool provides ample leverage for impactful moves. Alternatively, they have the luxury to strategically trade seasoned players like Olynyk, Collins, and Clarkson for additional capital or budding talents, without the immediate pressure to secure wins that other teams might face. Moreover, their timeline permits them to absorb less favorable contracts in exchange for assets, a maneuver that wouldn’t hinder their long-term vision. The only slight concern would be the reliance on older players like Kelly Olynyk, Jordan Clarkson, and Kris Dunn. The Jazz’s multifaceted strategy options set the stage for an exciting and promising trajectory in the league.
Potential trades:
Trade 1:
This is a trade for contention or improvement at the very least. The Jazz currently lack a lot of versatility with 3&D players So a trade with the Nets who seem to hold a monopoly would be the way to go. A combination of John Collins and or Talen Horton Tucker maybe Taylor Hendricks or Olynyk as well, plus 2-5 1sts for some combination of Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Royce O’Neale, and or Dorian Finney-Smith. On the higher end of this trade would be Mikal Bridges plus another wing for John Collins, filler, and significant draft capital in the range of 3-5 1sts (protections and swaps would limit it somewhat). This would get the Jazz another creator and more importantly a key contributor on defense. On the lower end of the trade it could just be for Cam Johnson and like O’Neale or Finney Smith for Collins and Horton Tucker plus a 1st. This trade would gain long term assets that would hopefully play well within the Jazz’s system.
Trade 2: Kelly Olynyk to the highest bidder currently there seems to be a small market for Olynyk emerging given his offensive prowess. A highly protected 1st or a few 2nds seem like the going rate for a player of his caliber along with a filler player. A trade like this would allow the Jazz to expand their growing chest of assets.
Realistically: The Jazz stay somewhat put unless Ainge gets a fair overpay for one of the roleplayers on his roster.
Upcoming Draft situation: 1 1st, Their 1st Rounder top 10 protected going to the Thunder
Projected Tax Space: 72.0 million
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**TLDR:**
Summary:
The Utah Jazz’s season is a narrative of strategic adaptation, overcoming a rocky start to transform into a formidable team. Key lineup adjustments and the emergence of talents like Collin Sexton and Kris Dunn have revitalized their dynamics, enhancing playmaking and defense. Lauri Markkanen’s consistent performance cements his role as a multifaceted star. Despite improvements, defensive challenges, particularly in perimeter defense and rim protection, alongside offensive predictability and 3-point inconsistency, highlight areas for growth. Looking ahead, the Jazz’s future is promising, with substantial cap space, a pool of young talents, and numerous draft picks offering a spectrum of strategic possibilities. Their potential for either pushing towards contention or strategically maneuvering through the trade market positions them for an exciting future. As the Jazz navigate their wealth of assets, their strategic choices will crucially shape their trajectory in the league, making their path an intriguing one to watch.
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**Project Notes:**
This was a fair amount of work I ended up writing around 50,000 words and if you would like to support ongoing updates for this project you can do so here
[https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbark](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbark)
Also, there is a mega compilation on my substack, with a bit of an explainer about why I chose to make this
[https://open.substack.com/pub/urbar/p/the-ultimate-nba-cheat-sheet-halfway?r=fv0lc&utm\_campaign=post&utm\_medium=web](https://open.substack.com/pub/urbar/p/the-ultimate-nba-cheat-sheet-halfway?r=fv0lc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web)
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**The future of this project:**
The goal for the next update will be right after the trade deadline, I will summarize the outlook for each, and refresh the stats, upcoming draft capital, and lineup data for the team
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I also want to include a section about the various up-and-comers for each team, what I think their future development could look and discuss their evolving roles
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This project also originally included storylines/notable events, random interesting stats, and various memes surrounding each team. The next update of this will hopefully include all of those. However, if I could get various suggestions for each of the categories from fans of different teams that would be a major help
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**What I am looking for**
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**Storylines/notable events:**
A storyline/notable event should be something interesting that would otherwise forgotten when looking at this team’s particular NBA season
A storyline last year for the Hawks could’ve been John Collin’s eternal trade discussions
A notable event for the Raptors last year could’ve been Fred Van Fleet’s epic rant against Ben Taylor
A storyline/notable event for the Lakers last year could’ve been the animosity between Westbrook and Lebron, such as ignoring each other at the summer league.
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**Random interesting stats:**
These are just interesting stats going on for the team or particular player. They can be for the season as a whole or just a stretch
A good example of one was the Warrior’s home versus road performance last year
Another one is how Embiid is averaging more points than minutes played this year
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**Memes:**
These are just funny things to have happen for a particular team
Mike Brown bringing a laptop to a press conference
Pat Bev showing the Ref the camera
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**Long long term goals:**
I also want to include a section about the various up-and-comers for each team, what I think their future development could look like, and discuss their evolving roles them interesting. Also to talk about what schemes each teams run and when. But that would require a lot of film breakdown.
by DeficientFooting
