The Tank is On | Podcast

Today we recap the turn of events since the trade deadline, including the reported tanking, factors accross the league that will affect Utah’s 2023 draft picks, and various news items surrounding the team of late.
2023-24
season
draft
Author

Adam Bushman

Published

March 6, 2023

Intro

Welcome to Jabber Jazz | Fan-driven, Ad-free content on Utah Jazz basketball

Adam Bushman Twitter | @adam_bushman

Today:

  • The tank is on
  • League factors affecting the draft
  • Random news & notes

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The Tank is On

  • Recent article: no room or reason to tank
  • Still true: best case fall to 5, likely fall 7 or 8
  • Upstairs has blessed the tank
    • Tony Jones has reported Jazz are giving run to the young players
    • Clarkson, Sexton, and Markkanen have all sat out games with injury
    • Toscano-Anderson, Dunn, Fontecchio, Horton-Tucker, Juzang all getting big run
  • No incentive to lose beyond this year
    • Gotta get upside in the draft
  • At 7/8 spot, ~8% to win lottery (vs 14%) and ~32% to jump into top 4 (vs 52%)
    • Poised to snag someone who falls (ie Ausar Thompson)
    • Pick of a nice tier (ie Jarace Walker, Cam Whitmore, Anthony Black, Nick Smith Jr, etc)
    • Possible to move up
      • Amen Thompson slips to 5: our #7/8, BKN pick, & LAL ’27 to move up
  • By embracing the tank to close, Jazz put themselves in position for options
    • Whole point of the offseason

League Factors Affecting the Draft

  • LAL: tied with UTA in standings
    • 28th in R-SOS
    • 4-2 since the trade deadline
    • LeBron injury
  • OKC: Jazz two straight losses a big deal
    • One more matchup in final week
  • MEM: unraveling at the seams
    • Clark/Adams injury, Brooks/Morant suspension
    • Play LAL x1, DAL x3, LAC x2, ORL x1, CHI x1, POR x1, NOP x1, OKC x1
    • Could see extra losses to keep good teams away and bad teams better
  • POR: jekyll & hyde
    • Lillard is putting up insane numbers
    • Team just can’t win; 9th in R-SOS

Random Notes

  • All-Star Weekend
    • Fun from a Jazz perspective
    • Abysmal All-Star game
    • Really good for the state
    • Should have another one in <30 years
  • Quin coaching the Hawks
    • Theory: greases the wheels on a future move
      • ATL becomes third team to facilitate a trade
      • UTA gets another bite at Collins in the summer
    • Tough situation with Trae
  • Kessler Rookie Of the Month
    • Top 3 rookie this year; guaranteed All-Rookie 1st Team
    • Not on the same level as Paolo
  • ATTSN done, closing its doors
    • Another media development
      • NFL -> YouTube TV, MLS -> Apple TV
      • Clippers direct service
    • No fall back option
    • Encouraging innovation

Close

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