NBA executives are backing the Utah Jazz for a significant jump this season, ranking them among the league's top three most improved teams in the annual GM survey. This confidence follows a preseason where the Jazz have shown flashes of their potential, most recently with a 119-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on October 12. With a roster built around two All-Stars and a mix of young talent, the expectation is that Utah's record will finally reflect their progress after several tough years.
The league's optimism stems from Utah's roster construction. The frontcourt is led by a pair of established All-Stars, providing a high floor for the team's performance. They're surrounded by several promising young players who are developing quickly, plus veterans added this offseason to fill specific roles. Executives polled in the NBA's GM survey placed the Jazz third in the "most improved team" category, receiving 13% of the vote. The Indiana Pacers led with 43%, and the Washington Wizards were second at 23%. This external validation matches the internal belief that, barring major injuries, this team is built to win more games.
The Jazz have used their preseason schedule to test combinations and build chemistry. Their most recent outing was a solid 119-109 win against the San Antonio Spurs. Before that, they split a two-game set with the Denver Nuggets, falling 106-117 on October 6 after beating them 109-97 on October 4. These games have offered a glimpse of the team's offensive firepower and defensive adjustments. While preseason results aren't definitive, consistently competing against playoff-caliber teams like Denver is a positive sign.
The immediate focus is the final preseason contest, an away game against the Phoenix Suns scheduled for October 16. This will be another tough test against a Western Conference contender and a final chance to fine-tune before the regular season tips off. After that, the real work begins. The GM survey shows the league is watching, and the preseason performances suggest the Jazz have the pieces to meet those raised expectations. The core of Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler, combined with the backcourt play of Keyonte George and Collin Sexton, gives head coach Will Hardy multiple options on both ends of the floor. Their ability to defend the perimeter and control the paint will dictate how high this leap can truly be.
