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NBA: 3 teams that exceeded expectations during the 2017-18 regular season

By Bronson Hope

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 25: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against the Miami Heat during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 25: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against the Miami Heat during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz controls the ball in the first half while being defended by Mason Plumlee #24 of the Denver Nuggets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 18, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz controls the ball in the first half while being defended by Mason Plumlee #24 of the Denver Nuggets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 18, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz are likely the most surprising team of the year. Like the Pacers, they lost their franchise player, but a little differently.

Gordon Hayward left the Utah Jazz in free agency this offseason and signed with the Boston Celtics. Hayward leaving the Jazz was compared to a LeBron James leaving Cleveland the first time. Many people thought the Jazz were done for and had no shot at making the playoffs this season.

Little did they know, in last summers’ draft they traded picks with the Nuggets to get what would become a potential superstar in the making.

Donovan Mitchell was selected 13th overall by the Denver Nuggets, and his rights were traded to Utah for the 24th overall pick and Trey Lyles. The Jazz soon found out they had made the right trade to acquire Mitchell not far into the season.

Take away Ben Simmons, and Donovan Mitchell would be the clear-cut favorite to win Rookie of the Year. He currently averages over 20 points per game on the season, scoring at least 25 points in 27 games. Mitchell went from a promising rookie piece to their hopeful franchise player to build around in the future.

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The Jazz won’t finish with a better record than last season but have the 4th seed in the playoffs. The Utah Jazz started out 19-28 this season. Since then, they have gone an astonishing 28-5 in their last 33 games.

Based on how hot the Jazz have been recently, no team wants to see them in the first round.

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