How each blockbuster free agent decision impacts the Utah Jazz

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CLEVELAND, CA – JUN 8: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks to the media after being defeated by the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals won 108-85 by the Golden State Warriors over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /

LeBron heads to the bright lights of LA

Just when you thought the Western Conference couldn’t get any deeper or more daunting, LeBron James decides to come on over and fling himself into the fray. Although James’ presence alone likely vaults the Los Angeles Lakers, who he recently joined in free agency, to becoming a playoff team, there’s no telling just how good they’ll be. They currently have a bit of an odd roster around him and have thus far whiffed on fellow star free agents Paul George and DeMarcus Cousins.

There’s whispers that adding Kawhi Leonard to their ranks via trade could still be in the works, and if that happens (and if Kawhi is still the old Kawhi), it probably propels the Lakers into becoming a Top-3 team in the West.

However, based on how the Lakers roster is currently constructed, even with LeBron I truly don’t know that they’ll be a higher seed than Utah, especially considering the way James paces himself during the regular season. As a reminder, LeBron’s Cavs were just a four-seed this past season before reaching the NBA Finals, and The King is about to discover just how much of a different animal the Western Conference is than the East.

LeBron James has agreed to 4-year, $154M deal with Lakers, Klutch Sports says.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2018

Nevertheless, the move impacts the Jazz regardless because, well, no matter where James and the Lakers end up in the standings, his arrival just signifies one more team that the Jazz will have to do battle with in the devastating Western Conference if they hope to finish within the playoff mix. LeBron is capable of leading his team to victory on any given night no matter the odds, and now Utah will face him at least one more time than usual, if not two, depending on how the schedule shakes out.

Depending what happens in the coming weeks and how the Lakers roster comes together, Los Angeles may very well surpass Utah in the standings next season and pry away their bid for a Top-3 spot in the West. But even if they don’t, they definitely represent a daunting and likely playoff-bound foe that will cause the Jazz problems in their pursuit for the best record possible.

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