Three ways the draft lottery results may impact the Utah Jazz

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CHICAGO, IL – MAY 14: Patrick Ewing of the New York Knicks, David Griffin of the New Orleans Pelicans, Elliot Perry of the Memphis Grizzlies and Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers pose for a photo on stage at the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery on May 14, 2019 at the Chicago Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The West keeps getting stronger

More than anything, these draft lottery results will only maintain the Western Conference’s continued dominance as the deeper of the two conferences. The Pelicans will likely boast Zion Williamson, a guy that could make them a playoff team for years to come once he gets into an NBA groove. The Grizzlies will boast the second player chosen in the draft and will almost certainly aim to remain competitive.

Lastly, the Los Angeles Lakers, who many believe only fell short of the playoffs due to a lengthy absence from LeBron James, who suffered a groin injury, and several other health issues across the roster, may very well be primed to undergo massive improvements this summer. Not only did they climb all the way up to the fourth pick in the draft, a surprising destination given their odds, but they have the room to add a max free agent this summer and can now put together a tantalizing package for Anthony Davis.

Whether they keep the fourth pick or trade it away, there’s a good chance that they’re going to be adding multiple significant talents this summer. Considering that the Lakers, Grizzlies and Pelicans all missed the playoffs last season but are poised to make massive improvements in 2019-20, and that the Jazz didn’t exactly sprint into the playoffs, we could see some shuffling in the standings regarding which teams qualify for postseason play.

The Jazz will have to watch their backs with improving teams in the West coming at them for their playoff spot. The continued depth in the West will also require that the Jazz execute much better throughout the year and don’t fall into an early hole as they have the past two seasons.

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With three out of the top four teams in the draft in the West, the conference is only bound to get better in 2019-20 and beyond as they’ll all be able to add talent in the draft and have flexibility to get better in the trade and/or free agent market as well. This certainly will impact the Jazz as they hope to make massive strides as well and become a top team in the West despite all the improvement around them across the league.

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