WIN-NOW?: Are Utah Jazz TRULY All-in. What is a SUCCESS for this season?
Utah Jazz fans face a pressing question: Are the Jazz truly in it to win, or is another slow rebuild on the horizon? David Locke tackles the fallout from the Walker Kessler trade, breaking down what it signals about the team’s commitment, salary cap realities, and shifting identity at center. The evolving roles of Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, and rookies like Darren Peterson and Ace Bailey take center stage as the Jazz grapple with elite rim protection, shot distribution, and defensive challenges.
With projections ranging from 35 to 45 wins, David Locke examines what success looks like under Coach Will Hardy. Can the Jazz compete for a playoff spot, or will internal competition for touches and defensive liabilities—especially at the guard spot—hold them back? The show takes a sharp look at potential postseason benchmarks, emerging player hierarchies, and the complex puzzle facing Utah’s front office.
00:00 Jazz “All In” Debate
10:15 Rim Protection & Win Totals
21:00 Key Players & Season Success
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I think success this year is simply making the product fun again for the fans. Just don’t get blasted by 20 points in the first quarter and force me to turn the game off. The last couple years, I found myself checking back in the fourth only if it was close because garbage time started way too early. If this team can stay competitive, play with energy, and keep games watchable from start to finish, that alone would feel like a huge step forward.
why not Ace Bailey?
Would you do these two trades:
Markketan for Lindenborg and three 1st round picks.
Jackson jr and three first round picks for Jokic.
basically every team has players "needing" more shots than exist.
If the 76ers don't sign Ben Simmons, he may actually be a good center choice next to JJJ and Lauri, then put in Nurk at the end of games for free throws.
Always enjoy Friday mailbag
I feel the Walker trade was a decision between Walker and Key. The Jazz could not pay both, if they paid both then bye-bye Lauri. I would love to see Walker in our lineup, but Walker left for a deal that equated to the same value as the deal in Utah. I saw a breakdown where over the next 4 years he would net 1 million less with the Lakers than the Jazz. Due to ridiculous taxes in California. He must have known that, so he simply had his feelings hurt and wanted out of Utah. I think Key shows too much potential to trade him now, I feel he has more potential than Walker.
I disagree. Jalen Brunson is smaller, slower, and less explosive than Key. Key is bad rn but he has the defensive potential to be a plus defender unlike Brunson
Lauri is a better scorer and JJJ is better on defence. I hope they will play great together.
“Who was Kawhi and Lowry’s center??”…… uhhh former defensive player of the year Marc Gasol
I was excited for this season until they traded Kessler