22
Oct
Team Profile
Utah Jazz: Five things you need to know
The Utah Jazz are yet to win an NBA Championship
- Hall of Famer John Stockton holds the NBA assist record
- The Jazz were beaten twice in the NBA Finals by Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls
- Three Australians have played for the Jazz
The Utah Jazz is an NBA franchise that contributed to the league’s development prominently in the 1980’s and 1990’s. The Jazz have fielded some of the most dominant and iconic teams in NBA history but have never been able to bring home an NBA championship.
2024-25 NBA Season Summary
- Record: 17-65
- Finish: 15th Seed
- All-Star Selections: Nil
The 2024/25 season for the Utah Jazz didn’t end the way that they wanted it to. In the midst of a rebuild, hoping to secure high draft picks, the Jazz had the worst record across the league and held the highest chance at winning the number one overall pick along with the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets. The Jazz obtained the fifth pick and drafted guard Ace Bailey. The past season however showcased the progression of their up-and-coming stars such as Keyonte George and Walker Kessler who can become vital pieces of the Jazz’s future.
Offseason Moves
Re-signing
- Oscar Tshiebwe returns on two-way contract
Additions
- Kyle Anderson joins via trade with Heat
- Kevin Love joins via trade with Heat
- Georges Niang joins via trade with Celtics
- Jusuf Nurkić joins via trade with Hornets
Departures
- Jordan Clarkson departs via buyout, signs with Knicks
- John Collins departs via trade with Clippers
- Johnny Juzang waived
- Collin Sexton departs via trade with Hornets
- Jaden Springer waived
The Utah Jazz had offseason with a clear intent to extract value in some pieces they had and take on low-profile players who can do a job for them in 2025/26. Departing from the likes of Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton and John Collins opens up the opportunity for other players to rise next season, but the returns they received from the two trades completed were a bit underwhelming.
It's clear the Jazz have the intent to tank next season, hoping for another chance to land the number one overall pick. Acquiring players such as Kyle Anderson, Kevin Love, Georges Niang, and Jusuf Nurkic represents a low risk, low cap hit options that can fill requirements in the squad and can serve as veterans and leaders as the Jazz embark on a new era.
2025-26 Predicted Lineup
- Point Guard: Keyonte George
- Shooting Guard: Svi Mykhailiuk
- Small Forward: Lauri Markkanen
- Power Forward: Kyle Filipowski
- Centre: Walker Kessler
Aussies who have played for the Utah Jazz
Joe Ingles: Born in Adelaide, South Australia, Ingles joined the Jazz in 2014 after being waived by the Los Angeles Clippers. Over eight seasons with Utah, he became a fan favourite, known for his sharpshooting, playmaking, and defensive versatility. Ingles set franchise records for three-pointers made and was a key contributor to the team's success during his tenure. He was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in February 2022.
Dante Exum: Hailing from Melbourne, Victoria, Exum was selected by the Jazz with the fifth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. He played for Utah from 2014 to 2019, showcasing potential as a versatile guard. However, injuries limited his impact, and he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in December 2019.
Patty Mills: Born in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Mills signed a one-year, fully guaranteed $3.3 million deal with the Jazz in August 2024. A 15-year NBA veteran, Mills brings experience and leadership to the team. Prior to joining Utah, he had stints with the San Antonio Spurs, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Miami Heat.
History of the Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz, formerly known as the New Orleans Jazz, entered the league in 1974/75 as an expansion team. Based out of New Orleans for around five years, the franchise relocated to Utah in 1979 where they initially experienced little success. 1984 marked their first playoff qualification and became the start of their 20-year run of consecutive playoff berths.
Their greatest era was marked by the formidable duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone who led the team to two NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998 where they were defeated by the Chicago Bulls. The chemistry and fluidity demonstrated by the duo in their time has become a revolutionary demonstration of the dynamic that can be cultivated between guards and centres.
Post late 1990’s the Jazz have struggled to regain the firepower and competitiveness needed for playoff success. Most recently the Jazz enjoyed a competitive period led by the duo of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. Since their departures, the Jazz have been in an intense rebuild with Lauri Markkanen serving as the team’s centrepiece.
Identity
The Utah Jazz have cultivated a unique identity within the NBA, embodying the state of Utah and its culture of perseverance. Under legendary coach Jerry Sloan, the Jazz became synonymous with the pick-and-roll offense executed to perfection by John Stockton and Karl Malone. With Quin Snyder at the helm throughout the 2010s the Jazz were a success utilising his 0.5 second offence which prioritises off-ball movement and passing. Anchored by Rudy Gobert defensively and Donovan Mitchell offensively, the Jazz played with great pace and unselfishness. Now under head coach Will Hardy, who plays a very similar style, the Jazz are in the process of fully implementing his system which will come to fruition as the franchise acquires more stars and when their young core develops.
Five Fast Facts
- The Jazz have never won an NBA championship, coming closest with two Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998.
- John Stockton is the NBA's all-time leader in assists and steals.
- The team's name comes from their original home of New Orleans but was kept after moving to Utah.
- Karl Malone is third on the NBA's all-time scoring list behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James.
- Between 1984-2004 the Jazz consistently qualified for the playoffs
Club Timeline
- 1974: Franchise founded as New Orleans Jazz
- 1979: Team relocates to Salt Lake City, Utah
- 1984: Make first playoff appearance
- 1988: Jerry Sloan becomes head coach
- 1997: Reach NBA Finals for first time, lose to Chicago Bulls
- 1998: Return to NBA Finals, again lose to Bulls
- 2003: Stockton retires, Malone leaves in free agency
- 2017: Donovan Mitchell drafted, ushering in new era
- 2022: Trade Gobert and Mitchell, enter rebuilding phase
The Utah Jazz head into the 2025-26 season with a new look having moved on from core pieces from recent seasons and adding talented youth in the draft. As the Jazz continue their rebuild, young stars will see increased minutes with starting roles up for grabs. With expectations of another rebuilding year, the Jazz are likely headed for a bottom-seeded finish, though their competitiveness should grow in the coming seasons.
