The Jazz have been quiet during the offseason in recent years, foregoing short-term improvements in order to build up their young core for the long haul. For the most part, this strategy seems to be paying off, but it’s hard to imagine the Jazz finally taking that next step forward without making a splash this upcoming free agency period.
While the chances of landing all three of these players would probably be lower than the championship odds Vegas assigned to the Jazz, the mere thought of adding that kind of talent is exhilarating.
Conley has long been considered one of the most underrated players in the league. Adding a point guard with his talent onto a squad that has been so severely lacking at that position would be incredible. A solid player such as Bazemore would help shore up the small forward position that, beyond Gordon Hayward, is rather weak.
Meanwhile, Mahinmi quietly had a highly impactful season in his first year as a consistent starter for the Indiana Pacers. He likely deserved more than the three votes he received for the Most Improved Player Award. While not a prolific scorer, his powerhouse defense, ability to run the floor and willingness to come off the bench would provide the Jazz with much-needed relief for Rudy Gobert (not to mention both are from France).
If the Jazz hope to make strides towards qualifying for the postseason, they’ll need to look to fill glaring holes in their roster with experienced and battle-hardened veterans. The most crucial include the starting point guard and back-up small forward and center spots.
Adding and developing more young talent no longer seems like the right formula for a Jazz team that has already invested so much time into their existing core.
recently released the championship odds</a> for all 30 NBA teams in 2016-17, pinning the Jazz’s chances at 80:1. While this isn’t exactly reassuring, it’s interesting to see Vegas slot Utah’s championship odds above those of a handful of teams who qualified for the postseason this year.</p>
<p>Namely, the Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons, all of whom came in at odds of 100:1.</p>
<p>With that being said, 80:1 is still very much a long shot. However, it’s still better than the shot Lloyd Christmas had at winning over Mary Swanson and he remained optimistic, so how about we do the same!</p>
<div class="embed embed-video"><iframe loading="lazy" width="500" height="281" src=https://thejnotes.com/2016/05/31/five-things-the-utah-jazz-need-to-make-the-playoffs/2/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/yCFB2akLh4s?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>While it seems almost unfathomable that a team that missed the playoffs entirely could go on to win it all in the upcoming season, stranger things have certainly happened. Nevertheless, it seems much more realistic to focus instead on how the Jazz can take the next crucial step in their progress: making the playoffs.</p>
<p>It was a goal that was very much in reach this past season, but, in the end, the Jazz fell short. Here’s a look at five things that must happen this offseason and beyond if the Jazz are to finally make it into the postseason in 2016-17.</p>
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the Jazz were open to making moves</a> during the season, with Lindsey saying that Utah <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/05/31/five-things-the-utah-jazz-need-to-make-the-playoffs/2/"https://thejnotes.com/2016/04/14/utah-jazz-lindsey-nearly-completed-major-trades-at-deadline/">nearly completed major trades prior to this year’s deadline</a> and further adding that the Jazz <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/05/31/five-things-the-utah-jazz-need-to-make-the-playoffs/2/"https://thejnotes.com/2016/05/21/utah-jazz-passed-on-substantial-offer-for-trey-lyles/">passed on a substantial offer for Trey Lyles</a>. As the team approaches the offseason, they should maintain the same willingness to add veteran talent.</p>
<p>This site has looked at <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/05/31/five-things-the-utah-jazz-need-to-make-the-playoffs/2/"https://thejnotes.com/2016/05/30/utah-jazz-free-agency-potential-center-targets/">numerous free agent targets at every position</a>, however there are three in particular that most excite me (while still being somewhat realistic): <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/05/31/five-things-the-utah-jazz-need-to-make-the-playoffs/2/"http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/conlemi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mike Conley</a>, <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/05/31/five-things-the-utah-jazz-need-to-make-the-playoffs/2/"http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bazemke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kent Bazemore</a> and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/05/31/five-things-the-utah-jazz-need-to-make-the-playoffs/2/"http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mahinia01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ian Mahinmi</a>.</p>
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<p>While the chances of landing all three of these players would probably be lower than the championship odds Vegas assigned to the Jazz, the mere thought of adding that kind of talent is exhilarating.</p>
<p>Conley has long been considered one of the most underrated players in the league. Adding a point guard with his talent onto a squad that has been so severely lacking at that position would be incredible. A solid player such as Bazemore would help shore up the small forward position that, beyond <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/05/31/five-things-the-utah-jazz-need-to-make-the-playoffs/2/"http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywago01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Gordon Hayward</a>, is rather weak.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Mahinmi quietly had a highly impactful season in his first year as a consistent starter for the Indiana Pacers. He likely deserved more than the three votes he received for the Most Improved Player Award. While not a prolific scorer, his powerhouse defense, ability to run the floor and willingness to come off the bench would provide the Jazz with much-needed relief for <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2016/05/31/five-things-the-utah-jazz-need-to-make-the-playoffs/2/"http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rudy Gobert</a> (not to mention both are from France).</p>
<p>If the Jazz hope to make strides towards qualifying for the postseason, they’ll need to look to fill glaring holes in their roster with experienced and battle-hardened veterans. The most crucial include the starting point guard and back-up small forward and center spots.</p>
<p>Adding and developing more young talent no longer seems like the right formula for a Jazz team that has already invested so much time into their existing core.</p>
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here), for the first time in quite a few years, the draft won’t be as vital to their playoff chances.</p>
<p>Having already rounded up so many valuable young players and considering the Jazz’s pick falls at No. 12, it isn’t likely that they’re going to be able to bring someone in who instantly reverses their fortunes. Therefore, while the draft shouldn’t be overlooked, it certainly doesn’t seem like it yield a vital piece for 2016-17.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, as Utah continues to focus not only on instant success, but building an eventual championship caliber team, the draft certainly is an important factor for the long run.</p>
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