In case it hasn’t been spoiled yet, the Utah Jazz are going to tank this season. It may not be in quite the same way as last season, but they are one of the worst teams in the NBA, they know it, and they know they can be handsomely rewarded for tanking. However, the NBA’s opening night reminded us once again of what’s at stake for Utah: transferring a potentially golden asset to Oklahoma City.
Jazz fans should know by now that the team owes the Thunder a protected top-eight pick in 2026 due to the Derrick Favors trade. It would be bad enough to lose a lottery pick overall, but to also lose it to the defending champions? That would be a nightmare scenario
The Thunder did a good job of reminding us how loaded they are tonight. They defeated the Houston Rockets, who are expected to be among their toughest competition in the Western Conference this season, and they did so without Jalen Williams, who is considered their second-best player.
That Jazz pick will get a lot of special attention this season because Oklahoma City will eventually have to pay for some of their young talent, which means they will have to get rid of some of their veterans and replace them with players who can replace their production. Getting one in the lottery is the perfect way for Oklahoma City to turn (or worse, expand) itself into a dynasty.
The upside is that as long as the Jazz finish with a record among the bottom four in the NBA, the pick will be safe wherever it lands. Utah will certainly tank for the worst possible record, but as long as they don’t end up with the opportunity to get the ninth pick or higher, they have nothing to worry about.
If things don’t work out this year, the Jazz have nothing to worry about
You might worry about the consequences of what would happen to the choice. Utah might owe Oklahoma City if it falls through after this season. Well, don’t worry anymore, because the obligation will expire completely if it is not passed this year.
It’s not like Utah didn’t already have enough incentive to go for another gold lottery pick, but the possibility of giving the Thunder, a team that has had notable success in the draft in recent years, another chance to draft a fantastic player in the lottery is very scary.
Tonight the Thunder proved that they are not slowing down with their core. Even if they likely trade players like Isaiah Hartenstein and/or Alex Caruso in the coming year, they will still be a title contender. While the Jazz have their own future to worry about, the one thing they can’t do is keep OKC’s exceptional.
#game #Jazz #reminded #tank