22. Utah Jazz
Key offseason move: Traded for John Collins, re-signed Jordan Clarkson
Getting off to a quick start to last season may have cost them a higher first-round draft pick but it also gave the indication that the Utah Jazz is not that far off from being a playoff contender in the Western Conference. After making a few intriguing (and telling) moves this offseason, the Jazz is a team to watch heading into training camp. The one offseason move that I love most is their decision to take the flier on John Collins.
As a player that lost his identity over the last few seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Collins is a player that could end up paying dividends for the Jazz. A change of scenery might be exactly what Collins needed. And with the Jazz, that’s exactly what he’s going to get. He walks into a more prominent role in Utah and will escape the spotlight and expectations to a certain extent.
If there’s a place where Collins can change the narrative of the last few seasons of his career, it was also going to be a landing spot like the Jazz. On top of Collins, the Jazz also has a flurry of other intriguing young players. Utah will be a fun team to watch this season.