8. Utah Jazz
Marquee summer move: Trading for Mike Conley
The Utah Jazz quietly had one of the most disappointing seasons of all the teams in the Western Conference that entered the season with any sort of expectations, save for the LeBron-led Lakers. Perhaps it had to do with the sophomore slump for Donovan Mitchell or the fact that we simply over-reacted to a good season the year before.
Nevertheless, the Jazz is entering the 2019-20 season with much-tempered expectations. But that’s when this team performs best. They could be the dark horse pick for many in the West, and just added one of the most underrated point guards in the NBA.
If Mitchell can take the jump to superstardom this season, there’s no question that the Jazz could be in the running for finishing as a top 3 or 4 team in the Western Conference. Though, that’s a big “if.”