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Utah Jazz offseason 2018: Checklist for the Jazz to become contenders

By John Keeffer

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 6: a general view of the Utah Jazz flag during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets on May 6, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 6: a general view of the Utah Jazz flag during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets on May 6, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Donovan Mitchell Utah Jazz
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 06: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz reacts to his basket in the second half during Game Four of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 6, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Rockets beat the Jazz 100-87. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Current Jazz players must improve this offseason

This is likely the most obvious, but it is also the most important area of focus this off-season. Utah is blessed to have young players on their roster who still have significant opportunities to become better. If they can maximize their talents, this team can immediately take a leap into contention.

I have asked this to many people recently, but if the Utah Jazz had not had the injury woes this past season, how many wins do you think they would have finished at? So no 26 game absence from Gobert, and we get a full season of Exum. Is 55 wins expecting too much?

According to ManGamesLost.com, the Utah Jazz lost the most wins due to injury this season.

Thirteen wins?! Maybe that’s a stretch. Hard for me to picture the Jazz being a 60-win team this season. It definitely makes my 55-win projection extremely realistic though. The point is, the Jazz could absolutely just run it all back and expect to improve upon their win total from last season.

That being said, they still have to find a way to improve internally. Players like Donovan Mitchell, Rubio, O’Neale and Exum are going to have to add more to their games.

Imagine if Mitchell can improve his off the bounce and above the break 3-point shot? What if Rubio can improve his consistency, and play an entire season like he performed over the second half of last season? Can O’Neale improve his corner 3-point shooting and become the additional 3-and-D bench player the Jazz desperately need? If all that were to happen, the Jazz really could be a 60-win team next season if healthy.

In my opinion, the player who must improve the most is  Exum. As the former No. 5 pick in the draft, he is clearly oozing with potential. Injuries have greatly derailed his development and where the Jazz expected him to be at this point, but he is still only 22.

This will be one of the first times since being drafted that Exum is entering the offseason healthy. Entering next season, I would like to see him with a tightened handle, and a greater willingness to shoot the three. Far too often during the playoffs he was almost unplayable due to careless turnovers, and his unwillingness to shoot the ball when open.

Next: Report: Jazz aiming to keep Derrick Favors

If the Jazz can pull off the three points that I have outlined here, they could be in store for a magical ride next season. If they can find help in the off-eason through free-agency and the draft, and then can show great internal development, becoming a contender could arrive sooner rather than later.

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