Life Will Soon Have Meaning Once Again for Utah Jazz Fans
Although a disappointing conclusion to the 2015-16 season likely has Utah Jazz fans questioning the very purpose of existence, upcoming events should help tide them over until the season starts anew.
Although the NBA Finals continue on to Game 6–a welcome sight for most NBA fans given the lopsided nature of the series’ first two games–for Utah Jazz fans the harsh, bitter sting of a sad and lonely offseason set in over two months ago. Nevertheless, as the Finals near their conclusion on either Thursday or Sunday if Cleveland can force a Game 7, a glimmer of hope begins to bloom.
Upcoming events will finally bring new meaning into the life of Jazz fans.
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First and foremost is the 2016 NBA Draft which will be held on Thursday, June 23rd at 6:00 pm MDT. The Utah Jazz have the 12th overall selection and, as always, there are several differing opinions about who the Jazz will and should nab with that pick.
The possibility also exists that the Jazz will use the pick as a trade piece. Either way, the team’s decision on draft day will undoubtedly play a significant factor in the franchise’s future and give fans something to get excited about for the time being.
Along with the 12th pick, the Jazz also have the 42nd, 52nd and 60th picks in the second round of the draft. While these late selections might not be as highly anticipated as Utah’s lottery pick, every year a handful of diamonds in the rough are found in the later second round.
The rise of the Boston Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas, from the 60th (and final) pick in the 2011 draft to a 2016 All-Star selection is a prime example.
Perhaps this year Lady Luck will smile down on the Jazz and let this be the case. For a look at some under-the-radar players that I think the Jazz should keep their eyes on, refer to this list here.
Following the draft, it won’t take long for the empty void of Jazz-less months to be filled. On July 4th, 5th and 7th, the Jazz will be hosting NBA Summer League play with the first two days’ games taking place at Vivint Smart Home Arena and the final day of action being hosted at the University of Utah’s Huntsman Center.
The schedule of games will be as follows:
July 4
Vivint Smart Home Arena
5 p.m. – Celtics vs. 76ers
7 p.m. – Spurs vs. Jazz
July 5
Vivint Smart Home Arena
3 p.m. – 76ers vs. Spurs
5 p.m. – Celtics vs. Jazz
July 7
Jon M. Huntsman Center
5 p.m. – Celtics vs. Spurs
7 p.m. – 76ers vs. Jazz
What better way is there to spend the Fourth of July holiday than with Jazz basketball? And if you really want to make it a night, you can even take advantage of this awesome Utah Jazz Fourth of July Summer League Family Pack!
The Jazz-hosted Summer League will undoubtedly be an exciting event for diehard fans as they will be able to see the Jazz’s up-and-coming stars, newly acquired draft selections and other NBA hopefuls battle it out on the hardwood against players in the same situation playing for the Spurs, Celtics and Sixers.
The Sixers and Celtics have the first and third picks in the draft, respectively, meaning that in addition to seeing the future of the Utah franchise, Jazz fans can get a first look at some of the biggest stars entering the league such as Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, or perhaps Buddy Hield.
But the reinvigorated thrill of being a Jazz fan doesn’t end there. The final day of Summer League also overlaps with the beginning of the free agency period.
After opting to shorten the moratorium period in which free agents are prohibited from coming to formal agreements with new teams, the NBA will allow free agents to officially join new teams starting on July 7th at 12:01 am.
While this might not have immediate effects on the Jazz (unless they are really ambitious and have free agents committed and lined up at the door to sign at the first moment permissible), it will still open the floodgates of free agent rumors and possibilities. Dreaming of snagging top or mid-tier free agents will be enough to bring some sense of purpose into every Jazz fan’s life.
Next: Utah Jazz: Domantas Sabonis Could Be the Best Player Available at No. 12
As Utah (hopefully) brings in a talented free agent or two during the offseason, speculation and excitement for the 2016-17 season will increase significantly as we wait for the next event.
Admittedly, after the dust settles from what could be a frantic free agency period, there will be a bit of a lull in the action for much of the remainder of the summer. However, the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and preceding qualifying tournaments could offer fans the chance to see multiple Jazzmen in action for their national teams.
It’s around this time that the NBA will release the schedule for the 2016-17 season and once Jazz training camp starts (typically in late September) the regular season and the new hope of a refreshed season will once again be upon us.
So take heart, Jazz fans. As you watch the final game(s) of the NBA Finals and reminisce of the Stockton to Malone days or as you fantasize about Gordon Hayward and Co. hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy, bear in mind that starting with next week’s NBA Draft, significant Jazz-related events will take place each month until we’re finally back in the rush of a brand new season.