For the first time in a couple of years, it feels like the Jazz have the roster that can compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Last year's midseason acquisition of Jaren Jackson Jr. and drafting Ace Bailey and Darryn Peterson in back-to-back drafts changed Utah's trajectory.
With the NBA season starting Tuesday, here are three players who could define the Jazz's season with their play on the court.
Ace Bailey
It took a bit for Bailey to get going in his rookie season, but once he did, Bailey showed why he was selected fifth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Bailey played in 71 games for Utah a season ago, starting 61 one of them. He averaged 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists and scored a career-high 37 points against the Raptors on March 23.
Not only did Bailey show off his gifted scoring abilities but he also displayed his two-way ability with games with multiple blocks and steals. The Jazz will need Bailey to build off his rookie campaign and be a force on both sides of the ball.
Bailey's athleticism and frame provides him the unique ability to guard virtually every position on the court, a trait that is very valuable in today's NBA.
If Bailey can improve his three-point shot, there's no telling how Will Hardy will deploy the second-year wing in Utah's offense.
Jaren Jackson Jr.
The frontcourt duo of Jackson and Lauri Markkanen looked like a seamless fit in the two games that the pair played in last season. With a full offseason and training camp together, the two should be even more comfortable playing alongside each other when the season tips off.
Not only will that duo provide problems for opposing teams this season, but Jackson will have a key role in the front court with Jusuf Nurkic sidelined with an injury for the foreseeable future.
Jackson and Nurkic were supposed to compliment each other's sklill sets as Nurkic is a great rebounder but struggles as a rim protector. Jackson has never been a great rebounder but his defensive abilities helped him win a Defensive Player of the Year award in the 2022-23 season.
Without Nurkic, the Jazz will rely on a committee of centers in his absence but we could see Hardy use Jackson at the five in certain lineups this season.
Even once Nurkic returns, Jackson will continue to play a pivotal role with the Jazz thanks to his defense and ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shot. Utah has lacked both of those qualities from their power forwards in recent years and Jackson will look to change that.
Darryn Peterson
It seems like an obvious choice that the second overall pick in this past summer's draft would be on this list, but Peterson is one of the most NBA-ready prospects we have seen in recent years. With all the hype surrounding Peterson, his play as a rookie could largely determine the outcome of the Jazz's season.
Peterson has been a bit of a mixed bag as he gets adjusted to the NBA game in the preseason. He's avergaed just 13.3 points in four preseason games but scored 23 points in a game against the Nuggets.
All throughout his time at Kansas, Peterson displayed attributes and qualities that drew comparisons to some of the best players to ever play in the NBA, including Kobe Bryant.
How quickly Peterson adjusts to the NBA speed could determine how good of a start Utah can get off too. If their rookie can make an impact early and show signs of becoming the player that many expect him to be, the Jazz will have an incredibly high ceiling.
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