National Basketball Association

Utah Jazz 2016-2017 Season Outlook: Time To Compete?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:27 p.m. ET

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Sep 26, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) during Media Day at Zion Bank Basketball Center. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

The Utah Jazz have been in rebuild for a number of years, and after climbing up the ladder, they look ready to compete in the stacked Western Conference

Last Season’s Record: 40-42, 9th in Western Conference

The Utah Jazz made their next step toward being a serious contender last season, even if their win total may not have indicated it.

Injuries mounted for the Jazz, with four different rotation players missing at least 20 games, and Dante Exum missing the entire season. Even with those struggles, the Jazz managed to make a name for giving the teams a serious test. The Jazz narrowly missed the postseason, but established themselves, and gave an identity to the team.

The offseason featured more of a sense of direction for a team that made it clear they were in contention. They sacrificed their lottery pick to add a new starter, and worked to add veterans to the roster to compliment their young pieces. The Jazz made a statement in the offseason that they are on the rise, and will look to move up in the Western standings with Gordon Hayward eyeing a fat new contract next summer.

Oct 5, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with guard George Hill (3) in the first half of the game against Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Phoenix Suns 104-99. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Projected Depth Chart:

PG: George Hill, Dante Exum, Shelvin Mack, Raul Neto

SG: Rodney Hood, Alec Burks

SF: Gordon Hayward, Joe Johnson, Joe Ingles

PF: Derrick Favors, Trey Lyles, Joel Bolomboy

C: Rudy Gobert, Boris Diaw, Jeff Withey

This team is deep across the board. George Hill being added to the starting lineup all of the sudden makes the guard position deep, with three guys behind him that can all share time at the point guard in different rotations.

Rodney Hood is a formidable shooting guard, and he and Alec Burks were effective in rotation last year. The frontcourt is also really talented, with Derrick Favors having a solid backup in Trey Lyles, but the center position is really solid. Rudy Gobert is a great rebounder and rim protector. And Boris Diaw is a terrific change of pace. Jeff Withey can play sizeable minutes without much of a drop off.

The best improvement from last year’s team is the second team. A lineup of Exum, Burks, Johnson and Diaw is solid, and can keep the pace at the level of the starters. The Utah Jazz addressed their depth issue from a season ago in a big way. Adding some veteran prescence should get this team used to the idea of competing. And more importantly should motivate this team to take the next step.

Feb 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) and center Rudy Gobert (27) and forward Gordon Hayward (20) and guard Dante Exum (11) look on against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Strengths: Frontcourt

As previously mentioned, the depth is critical for the Utah Jazz. The starters last year were 6th in efficiency, and got an upgrade at point guard. This probably points to a jump upwards for the level of play of the unit. And on the bench, they’ve now got three different players that are daily starter caliber in Johnson, Diaw, and Exum.

I like Dante way more coming off the bench, and pairing him with some veterans should see him improve in a big way. This team can wear you down all game, and that’s how they are designed.

The frontcourt is also a big strength. Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert are a solid combo, and compliment each other in a lot of ways. Gobert is an emerging big man, and Derrick Favors has expanded his game in a multitude of ways over the last two seasons. The two are bruising, and can both play well in the pick-and-roll.

Add in a solid rim protector in Jeff Withey, a solid scorer in Trey Lyles, and the do-everything player in Boris Diaw, and this group is going to give teams fits.

I love the addition of George Hill. And with him, this guard set is really talented. Gordon Hayward compliments Rodney Hood and Hill, who can all shoot it from deep. Hood especially has been a solid three point shooter, and will get better looks with Hill in the lineup. The pick and roll game probably slows a little, but big men will get better, and the offense will, too. Hill isn’t going to light up the scoreboard, but he makes this offense a lot better.

Apr 5, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles the ball during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Weaknesses: Lack Of Star Power

Are we really sure about Gordon Hayward? Hayward is a solid player, and led the team in scoring a year ago. But among players who scored 19+ points per game a year ago, Hayward was 22nd in efficiency. That’s not a good sign for his ability to really dominate in a game. He’s the go-to guy on this team, and he has to prove that doesn’t hinder the team’s ability to grow. His teammates have talked all offseason about his talent, and how this is his team and offense.

But that’s a little concerning seeing as how he has largely appeared so far as to be better fitted for a second fiddle role.

Speaking of the offense, it really wasn’t that good last year. It ranked round 20th in the league in efficiency, and they never really lit the scoreboard up. The defense was solid, and so sometimes that was okay, but if they are going to compete with the Golden States and San Antonios of the world, they are going to have to be able to have a consistent offense.

There isn’t a really dominant scorer on the team, which means they are going to operate efficiently. George Hill certainly helps that, but does the cure the issue?

The depth thing for Utah is their calling card, and I understand that. But not having a single star on the team is concerning in the West. Utah is overmatched against the upper echelon of the Western Conference by at least the Spurs, Warriors, and Clippers, and not having a player that can take over at the end of games is concerning.

Gordon Hayward should take the next step, or this is a concerning team as the season progresses. If they are going to seriously be considered as contenders, they are going to prove they can handle the big moments.

Oct 5, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) and forward Gordon Hayward (20) talk mid court during the first half of the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Phoenix Suns 104-99. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Most Important Player(s): Gordon Hayward

This one is a no-brainer. Hayward is the swinging question of the season, and his progression will go a long way to determining just how far this team goes. His efficiency will get better, and while the depth helps him in terms of his scoring load, he has to be the leader he’s been billed to be thus far. His teammates certinaly talk like this is his team, but he has to show it on the court, and get this offense back swinging.

There’s few players to watch in the league more exciting than when Hayward is hot, and the hope is that we see it a little more this season than we did last year.

What’s a Successful Season?

This is the time for the Utah Jazz. Anything less than a playoff appearance is a failure, make no mistake. Barring a major injury, the time is now to prove this team is one that can compete and make the move up, with Favors and Hayward facing expiring deals. The Jazz added veterans because they saw this team as real threat in the West.

I happen to believe that, too. And I don’t think missing the postseason will be expected. In fact, I think anything less than a 6th seed will be a failure.

Prediction:

54-38, 2nd in Northwest

4th in Western Conference