Jazz end offseason with 2 brilliant moves (and not for on-court production)

The Utah Jazz had a slow start to the offseason. They had to keep their cap space open until Aug. 6 when Lauri Markkanen’s contract became eligible for renegotiation and extension. Retaining the All-Star forward was the team’s top priority, and the two sides quickly reached an agreement that keeps him locked up until 2029.

The Jazz still had work to do but missed on the free-agent frenzy. Utah is not pushing for the playoffs in 2025. They still need a full roster and pieces to help their young talent. The 82-game regular season will have plenty of twists, and every team uses 15-plus players.

The Jazz wisely signed Patty Mills and Svi Mykhailiuk to round out their roster. The two veterans did not play much last year, but Utah does not need them too. This was a genius way to help their young talent and leave minutes open for them to blossom.

Utah Jazz sign 2 veterans to mentor and help develop young talent

Mykhailiuk appeared in just 41 games for 413 total minutes last season for the defending champion Celtics. He is a plus 3-point shooter but has appeared in more than 56 contests just once in his six-year NBA career.

Mills played 32 games and got 415 total minutes last season. The 36-year-old was a key reserve in San Antonio for a decade, but he is on the downside of his career. Mills is not going to bring a massively nightly impact on the court at this stage, but his experience and leadership can help a young team.

Mykhailiuk and Mills are fantastic locker room presences. They won’t be complaining about minutes or shots. It will all be about doing what is asked and playing a role. The veterans will help the young players blossom without standing in their way.

The focus in Utah is developing talent. They do not need a veteran itching for 30 minutes per game or to prove worthy of a massive contract. The Jazz want Cody Williams and Taylor Hendricks to improve their jumpers. Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier can learn plenty from a veteran guard with championship experience. The new signings fit their timeline and help the franchise achieve their goals.

The Utah Jazz are just getting started. They don’t expect to contend in the crowded Western Conference this season, but the franchise keeps adding pieces to their young core. The Jazz are still searching for their superstar, and finding it is likely the key to becoming serious threats again. That is exactly why signing two veterans at the end of the bench to help develop their young talent is brilliant.