The Utah Jazz had their worst season in franchise history, but they must have known going in that accomplishing that feat was likely since they were making it clear that getting the No. 1 pick was their No. 1 priority.
Getting the best lottery odds possible is always the silver lining when it comes to doing what the Jazz just did. However, when teams like that have veterans who are right square in or just about to enter their prime, tanking may not sit right with them, as they may think they are better off playing for a team that wants to win in the present.
However, during the Jazz's exit press conferences, each of the Jazz's veterans made it clear that, warts and all, they are still loyal to Utah. Besides getting a potentially franchise-changing player in the draft, their love for Utah
Every Jazz veteran vocalized their attachment to Utah
All of the Jazz veterans made it clear during their exit press conferences that they want to remain in Utah. Or, at the very least, they wouldn't mind remaining in Utah beyond this season.
That starts with Lauri Markkanen, who is eligible to be traded after his offseason extension from last summer prevented such throughout the entirety of the 2024-25 season. Though he could be in trade rumors this summer, Markkanen made it clear that he loves Utah.
Collin Sexton said something similar during his exit press conference. He said that he was happy to be in Utah, and in his own words, he said, "I'm going to give it my all. I'm going to give it 110% for the organization anytime I'm out there. I don't look at, 'Oh, I should be here, or should be there.' I'm where my feet are at, and I'm here. I'm going to go out there, play for my brothers out there, and that's all I can do."
John Collins was a little more realistic about what's going on with the Jazz. He even called what's going on a "sticky situation." However, that doesn't mean he wants off the team. When asked if he'd rather be elsewhere, Collins made gave a genuine answer that indicated his allegiance to Utah.
“Not necessarily,” Collins said. “As long as I feel like I’m an important part or building block, part of the plan, etc., then I’m here for it. I’m a ride or die type of guy. I’m loyal, and if we’re gonna crash and burn, I’m with it.”
Though he's in a different ballpark than some of the Jazz's veterans, Walker Kessler didn't even mince words when talking about his long-term future in Utah.
“I love Utah, I love the fans, love the coaching staff, love the people around here, I love the mountains, and I think that this can be home for me,” Kessler said
Jordan Clarkson expressed his awareness that he's better off on a team trying to win, but even he added that he would love for that team to be the Jazz.
So even with all the losing the Jazz had to go through this season, it's awesome that their players have still bought in to some degree. Does it have any impact on how the season turnd out? No, but that's the kind of winning culture that helps.
Young players look up to veterans, so seeing the vets still willing to play their current roles without any issues can have a lasting impact on the youngsters. The Jazz might not reap the rewards from this immediately, but it's clear that even if the veterans they have aren't getting them many wins, they still are the right guys to put around their youth.