Mar 28, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy reacts against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Mar 28, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy reacts against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The NBA win/loss numbers have been released by ESPN's "NBA Insiders," and the Utah Jazz were overlooked. Again. While they predict that the Jazz will be much better than a year ago, ESPN stops short of predicting a playoff berth.
The Jazz ended up in the 'play-in group' in ESPN's rankings - at 34 wins, 48 losses, and the 10th seed in the Western Conference. While that is a 14-win improvement over the 2025-26 season, it's still disappointing, much like the lack of national TV games that has become a regular occurrence for Jazz fans.
With a loaded roster that features multiple All-Star caliber players in Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen, and Keyonte George (not to mention a rookie star in the making in Darryn Peterson), the Jazz's floor for the upcoming season should be much higher than 34 wins, even in a loaded Western Conference.
Portland, for example, is a team predicted at 43-39, a win better than last year. They are relying on multiple players with recent injury histories (Ja Morant, Damian Lillard) and just lost their second-leading scorer, Shaedon Sharpe, possibly for the entire season.
Minnesota (50-32 prediction) underwent a lot of change in the frontcourt, and as of now does not have a reliable 'four' on the roster - Trey Lyles and Joan Beringer might be the options unless someone else is brought in. They will have to lean on Rudy Gobert more than ever, as his reliable backup was dealt away in the LaMelo Ball trade. And Donte DiVincenzo is out for most of the season recovering from an Achilles injury.
And Phoenix (projected to be 40-42) dealt away backcourt talent to get Miles Bridges, giving them two rather interesting characters (Dillon Brooks being the other).
The Jazz should be predicted higher
With a young and talented roster, the Utah Jazz have the chance to be this year's version of the San Antonio Spurs - in making a huge jump in wins and reaching the playoffs after completing their rebuild.
34 wins may be the Utah Jazz's floor, since they have no reason to try for a high lottery pick with the new relegation system in place. Their ceiling is somewhere around 53 wins without additional roster moves, which would place them third in the Western Conference.
And Jaren Jackson Jr. made it clear he didn't come to Utah for play-in berths. He believes the Jazz can win championships.
The Jazz have the roster and the hunger to be a much better team than 34 wins this year. And remember - Danny Ainge is never done dealing; if something comes up that vaults the team from the playoff fringes to a title contender, he will make it happen.
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