3 Realistic expectations for the Jazz in the 2024-25 season

The Utah Jazz are about to embark on a new season. A new season where they should be bad on paper, but we've heard that noise for the last two years, and that wasn't entirely the case. This year should be different, but we'll only know for sure when we see how they do.

The Jazz have low expectations, which means there are some realistic expectations to go with it that not many have talked about. They're not talked about because it hints at an ugly reality for the Jazz.

What they have is far from the worst situation in the NBA because of their promising future. However, in the here and now, there's going to be some pain involved, even if it's for the greatest good.

Lauri Markkanen's not making the All-Star team this season

Markkanen is talented enough to make the All-Star team again. However, if the Jazz want their best-case scenario to come to fruition, it will come at a cost. If losing for a higher lottery pick is the biggest priority, expect Markkanen's playing time to be slashed.

First, players who play for losing teams don't typically get All-Star nods, no matter how good they are. Not unless they have a reputation that precedes them, which Markkanen doesn't really have since he's only played at this level for the last two seasons.

Second, if the Jazz are putting their tanking desires first and foremost, Markkanen will get in the way of that the more he plays, so keeping him on the bench as much as they can is the best move for them.

It is a shame that Markkanen's individual accolades will be sacrificed for the Jazz's future knowing he is good enough to make the All-Star team. However, he knew what he was getting into when they signed that massive extension.

Jordan Clarkson & John Collins will finish the season in Utah

With Collins, this is not surprising knowing what his current value is around the NBA. With Clarkson though, it doesn't seem unreasonable that the Jazz could trade him. He's not coming off his best season, but he's still prime Clarkson, and a player like that at the contract he's paid shouldn't seem too difficult to get off of.

Sadly, the game has changed to the point where teams don't even care if he's not that expensive nor will be on their team for very long. That could change since Clarkson's contract will get shorter and shorter as the season progresses. Having said all that, don't be surprised if he stays put.

But this doesn't have to be a bad thing. Clarkson's talked about how he plans to be more of a mentor for the Jazz youth. He may not finish his career in Utah, but his influence could be instrumental in getting Utah over the hump years from now.

Keyonte George will have plenty of growing pains

Because the Jazz want to develop their young talent, George will be thrown to the wolves. The promise is undoubtedly there for George to the point where there's a growing narrative that he's a star in the making. His optimists have every right to feel the way they do.

But that doesn't mean he'll elevate his game right away. George has said all the right things leading up to Year 2, but teams will focus more on trying to stop him now that they know what he's capable of.

If Walker Kessler can have a well-publicized sophomore slump, then so can George. With defenses designed to take away his bread and butter, don't be surprised if his road to becoming a star has some speed bumps.