Title Window shrunk
When the Jazz cashed in their chips to bring in Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanovic in the same summer, they were really setting themselves up to have their best shot at winning a championship in a two year window.
It would be two years before Donovan Mitchell graduated from his rookie contract, and two years before Rudy Gobert would be eligible for a new max contract. Conley also came with two years left on his deal.
Well, now there’s a good chance that this two year window has been cracked in half to only a one year window of desperation, and it really hurts that the season getting cancelled happened to be the one where the Golden State Warriors were dismantled.
Not only was it the Utah Jazz that were gunning for a ‘chip by 2021, but several other NBA teams as well.
The Los Angeles Clippers only have until 2021 before Paul George and Kawhi Leonard can opt-out of their deals.
The Milwaukee Bucks only have until 2021 before Giannis Antetokounmpo can become a free agent and leave them in the dust.
Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has been vocal about his intentions to blow up the core if the team doesn’t win a championship in the next couple of years.
LeBron James is 35 years old and not getting any younger, the clock is ticking for King James to win one last title before his retirement.
To make matters worse, the Brooklyn Nets were also supposed to be a dormant championship contender this year, and in a year from now they will most definitely be woke from their sleep with the return of Kevin Durant.
If the season as we know it is cancelled, then Utah’s chances for a championship will be much smaller than they originally were. They will have to go through even more of a gauntlet next season to reach the Finals.
If it doesn’t work, they still have to pay the remainder of Bogey’s large contract as well as Joe Ingles’ extension, and reloading the roster will be tough to come by.