NBA media is once again obsessed with the idea of getting Lauri Markkanen off the Jazz. But as @markrussellpereira.bsky.social writes in his latest for @saltcityhoops.bsky.social, that's based on bad assumptions about his and Utah's desires. saltcityhoops.com/stop-trying-...

The Jazz’s summer moves signal a next phase in the rebuild, but what does that mean for Lauri Markkanen? For @saltcityhoops.bsky.social, I explore the idea of “timelines” as it relates to contenders, and imagine how Lauri fits into Utah’s next competitive window. saltcityhoops.com/on-timelines...

Someone on the bird asked where the Jazz sit with their pick situation after the recent transactions. Here it is. Utah used seconds in the Clayton move-up trade and in the Sexton-Nurk swap, but still own 8-11 firsts in the next 7 drafts.

Reminder: up at @saltcityhoops.bsky.social, I'm keeping track of free agents (saltcityhoops.com/fa-tracker-q...) as well as a running list of players with 3+ years left under contract (saltcityhoops.com/trade-target...). Peruse and speculate at your leisure, Jazz/NBA fans.

I like the Jazz's week so far, but like I wrote last night (saltcityhoops.com/draft-jazz-b...), feels like more rearranging almost has to be coming. 13 guaranteed contracts (counting unsigned 1sts) 4 non-guaranteed 2 two-way 2 RFAs 3 draft rights to recent 2nd rounders

The Jazz get high marks for their big swings on draft night, and their packed roster makes it clear that decisions must be around the corner on some stuff. Here's your @saltcityhoops.bsky.social draft recap: saltcityhoops.com/draft-jazz-b...

Salt City Hoops is BACK! Join me and @danclayt0n.bsky.social as we preview the NBA Draft for the Utah Jazz and a few other topics. Come see who we're excited about! Review and subscribe my friends! open.spotify.com/episode/0u6H... Also on YouTube: youtu.be/gSsKJnJg504?...

The Jazz's 2026 1st gets discussed a lot, and for good reason. It could yield something incredible for the franchise... or it could yield nothing if it goes to OKC. But it's still just one asset. From me, for @saltcityhoops.bsky.social: saltcityhoops.com/are-fans-too...

Are you hoping the Jazz trade UP in next month’s draft? What about down or out? For @saltcityhoops.bsky.social, here’s a guide to pick trade values that is informed by 25 years of historical draft deals. saltcityhoops.com/historical-g...

Since it came up this week, let's just correct the record. The Jazz currently have between 9 and 12 firsts in the next 7 drafts. The most they could trade is 9 of them because of rules around consecutive future drafts. Starting late June they can also trade their own '32 1st.

Another way to envision the pick scenarios based on Sunday's outcomes. I'm a believer that there's more upside in Utah juicing the odds at #1 (ever so slightly) over protecting their floor, so a W at Minny keeps some hope alive... however unlikely.

Here are all your scenarios for the Wolves pick, and the Jazz pick will now be 1/2 heading into the lottery, with 14% odds at #1 either way.

This is wild. A 6-team tie at 49 wins is still in play, and not even all that outlandish. Minnesota's win tonight puts them in control of their own destiny to avoid the play-in.

Some midnight fun...

We need to call the Game Ball department back from spring break for a surprise 🏀 giveaway... Flip was huge, Sensabaugh had multiple clutch buckets, and Key put it away... who you got?

Believe it or not, even in game 80, the Jazz are still finding ways to debut groups that aren't just new starting lineups, but that have never played before at all. Sexton-George-Juzang-Sensabaugh-Filipowski is a completely new fivesome, and the 45th unique starting group.

After tonight, the Jazz are guaranteed the maximum 14% chance at the top pick in the draft, and a 52% chance at a top-4 pick. The only thing that can change from here out is the backstop for how far they can fall if the ping pong balls don't bless them with a franchise changer.

It's been a minute since I've done a new SC7 (for, um, reasons), but here's an updated pick watch. Minny has guaranteed a top-8 spot pre play-in, meaning that pick will be a non-lotto pick unless they have an 0-2 play-in.

Been a weird week (more on that some other time) but I'm back on the air tonight and in fact I'm sitting in the main play-by-play chair, so if you're watching Jazz-Nugs, use the Jazz+/LP Spanish feed or the SAP button on your remote if you're on KJZZ, and give a listen.

Got curious about something tonight, so I made this. Didn't really turn into what I wanted, but I'm not going to rob you of a fun graphic. Shows Utah's max lead and max deficit in 72 games so far.

Repeat starting lineup for the Jazz tonight (so still 41 unique variations), and this one is undefeated! Collier-Sexton-Williams-Flip-Kessler also started against the Wiz last week, so they're 1-0.

A Friday night update on pick watch, with some new information on remaining games. (This close to the end, remaining opp % can be a little deceiving, so I added # of games against the top/middle/bottom 3rd)

The Game Ball department is back in action after some extended time off... Utah gets a W against the Wiz, with lots of efficient night and impressive stat lines. Who gets the rare March 🏀 in your book?

This will be in tomorrow's SC7, but hey, you can gaze at it now because I like you.

38th unique starting lineup for the Jazz. And in this lineup's case, they have actually never played a single minute as a 5-man unit this season: Flip-Lauri-Cody-Sexton-Collier have never shared the court.

I'll keep saying it... I don't think there's a major different from 5th through 8th in this draft, so as long as the Jazz's odds at 1-4 stay the same, I'm fine if they get to taste victory a bit here down the stretch. More true if Charlotte & NOP win some. (Bkn/Phi/Tor comfortably ahead)

A midweek pick watch update... because I care.

As I wrote in the SC7 this week (saltcityhoops.com/sc7-ethical-...), Utah's likely to be the 1st team ruled out from playoffs, since the EC's middle class is a lot worse than the WC's. Tragic numbers are now just 1 (Min), 2 (LAC) and 3 (Dal, Sac). Could be ruled out as early as Sunday.

Big statlines as the Jazz win their 15th. Who gets the 🏀?

Utah's 4 picks have all gotten better since I last updated this graphic for Monday's SC7:

Will Hardy leads the NBA in first quarter challenges with 13 this season.

You can tell a lot about how a team thinks about our guys by where they put their best defenders. The fact that Camara has been on Collier like a straight jacket all night tells you who Billups thinks the head of the Jazz's snake is. (I mean, of the available dudes)

The 33rd different starting lineup for the Jazz is also the first one this season where all five guys are 24 or younger. The oldest starter is KJ Martin at 24 years, 1 month, 18 days old.

Jazz win on the second half of a back-to-back! Who should get the 🏀? We have some choices, with a 30-piece and three double-doubles, but this one feels fairly obvious to me. Who you got?

Jazz got surprise Lawlered. This was 95-86 Jazz at the start of the 4th, but the Clips made it to 100 before their hosts.

Collier is on the scouting report now lol.

The Clippers just wrapped up a 14-point win over the Grizzlies & are supposed to depart for SLC in an hour. I bet Kawhi sits tomorrow, with Harden, Powell & Zubac TBD. Jazz may rest some guys as well due to the B2B. Clips-Jazz Thursday night @ the DC!

Jazz played full strength (-Sexton) at home tonight and that's a recipe for an accidental win I like an additional ping pong balls here and there but you still need to see the team you're building have more pieces than the #1 pick or whatever Flattened lottery odds make it less painful to win

Watched late on a rare night off from the arena, but we still have to dispense with a little 🏀 business... there was a 30-piece, three near triple doubles (relatively speaking), a 6-swat performance from the big, but there can be only one recipient of the fake Wilson. Who?

Utah Jazz Trade Deadline Preview!!! Join me and @danclayt0n.bsky.social for @saltcityhoops.bsky.social as we talk about the little trades Utah has made so far, and predict what will happen for the rest of the Jazz! open.spotify.com/episode/5IMR...

Lots of stuff for trade deadline week via saltcityhoops.com / @saltcityhoops.bsky.social - @clarkpojo.bsky.social's macro view on the state of the rebuild - My trade-focused SC7 - @loudclap.bsky.social's trade likelihood ranking - And a pod up shortly w/ @markrussellpereira.bsky.social and moi.

Been a while since we've been able to give away a 🏀, but the Jazz break a losing streak and we gotta give one away. Seven guys in double figures in one area of another, so we have lots of choices. Who should get it?

Jazz go dark from the field for 3+ minutes and the Dubs take advantage with an 11-2 run, right after Utah had cut it to one.

Some thoughts on the guard change, the pick trade, fun actions, key numbers and more... all that in this week's Salt City Seven. Up now at @saltcityhoops.bsky.social! saltcityhoops.com/sc7-starter-...

Brice Sensabaugh will become the 15th different Jazz player to start a game this season. That figure ties the -- wait for it -- Warriors for most different players to start this season.

Confused at the overall Jazz draft picture? Here is a look at everything they have through the next seven drafts, including conditional picks.

Discussion on why (some) Ws are OK, plus zipper action, more youth focus, Lauri's twos, a Game Ball and much more in this week's Salt City Seven! saltcityhoops.com/sc7-value-ws...

In this week's SC7, we look at some ingredients behind Utah's last-placed defense, plus some Cody Williams thoughts, stats on hunting threes, upcoming milestones & more. saltcityhoops.com/salt-city-se...

Just the 3rd time the Sixers have had this starting group (Embiid-Maxey-PG-Martin-Oubre) all healthy together. Meanwhile, the Jazz will use their 15th different starting lineup. This group did appear in one other game this season, for five minutes in which they won 10-6. #fwiw

Update on draft position coming out of Christmas. Utah might have a hard time losing tonight, but has some more likely Ls coming after that. Minny's playoff chances are improving, cheer for SAS, Phx and all four Cali teams. Cleveland pick is not gonna get much better if at all.