2010-11 Utah Jazz record: 39-43, missed playoffs
If any iteration of the Utah Jazz could be accused of underperformance, it may be the 2010-11 version. This was a tumultuous season marked by in-fighting that ultimately culminated in the dissolution of a highly-talented group.
The 2010-11 Utah Jazz’s fate is perhaps best captured by its mid-season coaching change. Jerry Sloan had this group with a solid record of 31-23 when he resigned. It seems that a rift between himself and star point guard Deron Williams forced the Jazz icon into retirement.
Nonetheless, a coaching change wouldn’t be enough to keep Williams in Salt Lake City, as the front office honored his trade request by sending him packing to the New Jersey Nets. In return, the Jazz would receive franchise mainstay Derrick Favors, Devin Harris and two future first-round picks.
It was a solid return for Williams, but it did little to improve the Jazz’s short-term prospects. Interim head coach Tyrone Corbin would finish out the season 8-20, and the Utah Jazz would miss the playoffs.
A team that started out the season with a core of Deron Williams, Paul Millsap, Andre Kirilenko and Al Jefferson undoubtedly had higher expectations. The Jazz also rostered a 20-year-old rookie named Gordon Hayward, but his future significance to the franchise was not yet apparent.
The 2010-11 season is far from the worst Utah Jazz season we’ve covered in this article, but with the possible exception of 1979-80, it may be the most disappointing.