UTAH JAZZ 2019-2020 preview ENG

Record 2018-19: 50W – 32L

Offensive Rating 2018-19: 111.7

Defensive Rating 2018-19: 106.5

Addictions: Mike Conley (MEM), Bojan Bogdanovic (IND), Emmanuel Mudiay (NYK), Ed Davis (BKN), Jeff Green (WAS), William Howard (R), Stanton Kidd (R), Miye Oni (R), Nigel Williams-Goss (R), Justin Wright-Foreman (R).

Subtractions: Derrick Favors (NOP), Jae Crowder (MEM), Grayson Allen (MEM), Tyler Cavanaugh, Kyle Korver (MIL), Naz Mitrou-Long (IND), Raul Neto (PHI), Ricky Rubio (PHX), Thabo Sefolosha, Ekpe Udoh.

Roster continuity: 54%

Depth Chart

Analysis

Eternal underdogs, the Utah Jazz approached free agency with the main target to increase their offensive options and consequently turn into a legitimate contender, having so far 2nd year Donovan Mitchell as the team's only (not highly efficient) volume scorer.

The market moves in the summer have addressed adequately the roster needs, adding veteran Mike Conley in point guard instead of Ricky Rubio, and the sharpshooter Bogdanovic to provide additional fire on the offense.

These acquisitions should ease Mitchell's life and increase his offensive efficiency, without significantly worsening the enviable defense showed last year (2nd best DRTG). The loss of Favors undoubtedly hurts, but it is more than digestible in a team that has the octopus Rudi Gobert as defensive anchor in the middle.

The starting five will basically change identity going from the "vintage" 2-tower model (Gobert / Favors) to the current mainstream of “4 outside / 1 inside” with Conley, Mitchell, Ingles and Bogdanovic firing from deep and the French center to roll inside and sweep offensive boards.

However, the options for a taller unit will not be lacking taking into account new arrivals Jeff Green and Ed Davis from the bench.

Nice addiction as well Emmanuel Mudiay as back-up PG.

They will still start as underdogs, but these Jazz could be the most dangerous outsider of the Western Conference.

Forecast 2019-20: 52-30