Some Utah Jazz fans will not enjoy this article. They’ll argue that we’re writing the team off prematurely. They may have a point.
At the same time, crazier speculations have proven prophetic. All does not seem well in Salt Lake City. Neither of Donovan Mitchell or Rudy Gobert have done much to ease minds preoccupied with their seemingly dysfunctional relationship. On the court, the team is in the midst of a four game losing streak.
It’s not the only losing streak the Jazz have endured this season. They’ve been, frankly, a mild disappointment. If they don’t have a deep postseason run in 2021-22, there may be some big changes on the horizon.
Here’s a look at four paths the Utah Jazz could take this offseason
Utah Jazz offseason Plan A: Stay the course
When we say stay the course, we don’t mean it literally, unless the Jazz bring an NBA championship to Salt Lake City. Short of that seismic event, some changes will need to be made.
Depending on how the postseason goes, they may not have to drastic. If the Jazz fall short of their ultimate prize, a consensus that they need to acquire a 3-and-D wing is likely to re-emerge. The team could look to move one or more of Jared Butler, Udoka Azubuike, Trent Forrest or the recently acquired Nickeil Alexander-Walker in pursuit of that archetype.
Danny Ainge shouldn’t hesitate to part with draft capital in this event either. If both Mitchell and Gobert are amicable to staying, the Jazz should stop at nothing to keep them that way. The higher caliber wing they can bring in to bolster their defense, the better.