The Utah Jazz aren't just struggling this season; they are making history with how badly they are struggling. A tough schedule can explain it, and early-season injuries have also contributed to how badly they have started this season.
However, there's a solid chance this is going to get worse before it gets better both because of the injuries and because their schedule won't ease up. If and when it does, it will become harder not to think about what could have been had the dominoes fallen in a different direction.
No one is taking back to the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade yet, but it's interesting to wonder what would have been had Utah not traded for him, drafted Cameron Boozer, and extended Walker Kessler. No one knows if that's exactly what would have happened, but in light of their success away, it's hard not to wonder where they would be.
For the record, no one is giving up on Darryn Peterson. It has always been about the long game with him. Boozer has simply looked more NBA-ready, which happens sometimes. Chris Paul looked more NBA-ready than Deron Williams did in their rookie year. Paul may have turned out better but Williams still proved he was absolutely worth trading up for.
Anyway, it's hard not to think about it because Kessler has been thriving with the Lakers and Boozer has been thriving with the Grizzlies. It's not just about talent, but about fit, and that's been the major difference-maker that explains why those two teams are further ahead then the Jazz.
With Kessler, Utah would have had the sturdy presence to slide Markkanen right back to the four if they so wanted. With Boozer to tag along with them, he would have given the team some more playmaking and more positional versaility.
It's not like the Lakers and Grizzlies owe all of their success to those two, but they are undeniably a part of why they have played as well to start. Couple that with Utah's struggles, and it's hard to ignore this elephant in the room.
We need to see Utah healthy before we agonize about what could have been
The Jazz have not been healthy at all this season, and it didn't take long for JJJ, who's supposed to be one of their most important players, to suffer an untimely knee injury that hopefully won't keep him out for super long.
When he and Jusuf Nurkic come back, we will then see if things truly are as bad as they look. For now, fate has in a way conspired against the Jazz, but hopefully not for too much longer. If it's still bad when those two return, then this what-if will be painful to think about.
We know that Kessler made it clear to Utah that, one way or the other, he was on his way out, but we don't know if he told them that before they traded for JJJ or after. If it was before, it would explain why they made the deal. If it was after, it would explain his demand to be in LA no matter what.
It definitely sheds light on an interesting crossroads. This could look completely ridiculous by the time the new calendar year arrives, but if the struggles continue, it will be hard for the Jazz to sleep in the bed they made knowing it could have gone a completely different direction.
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