Danny Ainge, the new Utah Jazz president has guts, you have to give him that. It’s not often you see a team that’s regularly been in the hunt for 50 wins a season and has made the playoffs for six straight years with a core of players 30 years or under decide to tear it down.
That would be even more true for a mid-market team like the Jazz that has trouble attracting free agents and has a fan base that would have continued to support the status quo.
But Ainge decided the leadership group wasn’t good enough so he’s accumulated a haul of picks for trading away Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Patrick Beverly. Several serviceable veterans remain, including Mike Conley, Kelly Olynyk and Jordan Clarkson to help support an intriguing 25-and-under crew.
The young core is led by Colin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, Lauri Markkanen and Talen Horton-Tucker. Some veterans will stay to help build the culture, but others will go to help maximize their lottery position over the next couple of seasons.
Utah Jazz Season Outlook:
Projected Starting Lineup: PG Mike Conley, SG Collin Sexton, SF Malik Beasley, PF Lauri Markkanen, C Kelly Olynyk
Head coach: Will Hardy
Notable Additions: PF Lauri Markkanen, SG Collin Sexton, G/F Talen Horton-Tucker, F Stanley Johnson, G Malik Beasley
Draft Picks: G Ochai Agbaji (14th overall acquired from Cleveland), C Walker Kessler (22nd overall- acquired from Minnesota)
Jazz Arena: Vivint Arena
Jazz NBA Schedule: NBA.com
2022-23 Utah Jazz NBA Futures Odds
- Odds to win the 2023 NBA Championship: 500/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Western Conference: 400/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Northwest Division: 200/1
- 2022-23 Regular Season Win Total: Under 25½ (-135)
- Odds to Make the Playoffs: Yes +1600 | No -15000
- Official website: nba.com/jazz
- Twitter Account : @utahjazz
2022-23 Utah Jazz NBA Award Top Contenders
6th Man OTY: Jordan Clarkson +1200
Most Improved Player: Talen Horton-Tucker +4500
Rookie OTY: Ochai Agbaji +2000, Walker Kessler +4500
Liev Jackson NBA Season Prediction on Jazz:
The Jazz control an incredible 18 first draft picks between 2023 and 2029 and they have one of the best talent evaluators in the game in Ainge. That speaks well for their future and terribly for their present. This is a team that wants to cap how many wins they get this season to help accelerate their rebuild.
Thus, my favorite bet is taking the under 25 ½ for their win total. I could also be talked into a long shot bet on Agbaji for ROY. He was a leader on the national champion Kansas Jayhawks last year, the MVP of the Final Four, can be a difference maker on both sides of the ball and should get lots of playing time. I also like that he’s a 22-year-old rookie, and that physical and emotional maturity gives him a leg up on the opposition that might have more pure skill.
Favorite bets for the season at current odds include:
- 2022-23 Regular Season Win Total: Under 25½ (-135)
- Rookie OTY: Ochai Agbaji +2000
2021-22 Record: 49-33
My Record Prediction: 21-61
NBA Odds According to Bovada as of September, 2022
Bet on the Utah Jazz 2022-23 Season at Bovada Sportsbook.
