Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
The Utah Jazz fell just short of making it to the Western Conference Finals. Here are three offseason moves they must make to ensure they reach the third-round next year.
The Utah Jazz‘s goal of reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1998 failed to come to fruition after they blew a 2-0 series lead in the Western Conference semifinals and lost to the LA Clippers in six games. It certainly did not help that the Jazz had to deal with injuries to two of their starters in the second round of the playoffs.
Now, the team has the summer to think over what they can possibly do to put them over the hump in the conference. Here are three moves the Jazz should make this offseason.
3. Draft a perimeter defender
The Jazz committed multiple years and huge money to stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, with an impending free agent due for a huge contract (more on that later). With the luxury tax threshold a likely concern for the Jazz, they have the caveat of getting some talent on affordable deals. Of course, that is the NBA Draft.
This year, the Jazz only hold the 30th overall pick, as their second-round selection was traded to the Indiana Pacers. With the team only holding one pick, that makes it that much more important for them to find a perimeter defender.
In the second round, the Clippers had a field day against the Jazz. With the lack of help at the perimeter, that made life hell for Gobert and Derrick Favors. While it can be pinpointed to both Mitchell and Mike Conley dealing with injuries, it goes to show that the team needs to build some depth. Using the 30th overall pick on a player who can help prevent a collapse on defense in a pivotal playoff series should be the utmost priority.