3 goals for the Utah Jazz after the All-Star break

Utah Jazz center Hassan Whiteside (Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports)

The Utah Jazz have had a solid 2021-22 season thus far. There’s still ample room for them to improve.

For a team with the Jazz’s ambitions, sitting in fourth in the Western Conference (36-22) is neither a best or worst case scenario. It’s a reasonable position for them to be in at this stage of the season. It is not an ideal one.

Many of the team’s struggles are attributable to injuries. We’re not going to list “maintain good health” as a goal for the team here. After all, that’s a goal for all 30 teams in the National Basketball Association.

The Utah Jazz have more controllable issues than injuries. Improving on any of these 3 would go a long way towards improving their season long outlook.

Utah Jazz goal #1: Add depth

We made our feelings pretty clear on the Jazz’s trade deadline. We didn’t think it went very well.

Juancho Hernangomez is unlikely to play a major role for this team. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has a chance to, if he can improve his shooting efficiency. He just won’t be able to fill the 3-and-D role this team clearly needs filled.

Luckily, it isn’t too late for salvation. The Jazz still have options, even if they’re admittedly sparse.

This team should be aggressive in pursuing Kent Bazemore on the buyout market, and Gary Harris if he becomes available. This roster begs for one more wing who can hit 3s and defend at an (even slightly) above average level.

Bazemore and Harris both qualify. Neither is a flashy, internet breaking acquisition. The window for making those types of transactions is officially closed. That doesn’t mean neither can make a difference on an NBA team.

If the Utah Jazz can land either, it may help them achieve our second goal.