Oddsmakers Cast Doom & Gloom on Jazz 2023-24 Outlook

Get your bets in early if you’re bullish on the Utah Jazz.

The oddsmakers continue to have a grim outlook for the Utah Jazz heading into the 2023-24 season. The popular online bookie DraftKings gives Utah a 33.3% chance of being a No. 10 seed or better while having a 71.83% shot of being No. 11 or higher.

Despite having a clearer picture of what the roster will exactly look like in 2023-24, the oddsmakers don’t seem to care. The Jazz have added three first-round picks and forward John Collins to a group that posted 37 games last season, but it doesn’t end there.

There also shouldn’t be a reason to tank games, considering the Oklahoma City Thunder are in possession of Utah’s 2024 first-round pick, although that could change due to it being top-10 protected.

Utah will be heading into the new year with at least one top 20 NBA player in Lauri Markkanen, but is there room to improve a stat line of 25.6 ppg and 8.6 rebounds? According to Jazz coach Will Hardy, Markkanen’s best days are still ahead of him.

“Our team looks to Lauri," Hardy said back in May. "He's an NBA All-Star for a reason, and he's had a consistency about not only his play but his approach all season. I don't know what the ceiling is on Lauri... I don't think any of us do, but I'm pretty sure we haven't seen it yet."

With Markkanen taking a step forward, along with second-year Jazzmen Walker Kessler and Ochai Abaji developing into full-time contributors, expect Utah to have a core that should compete for a playoff spot.

Utah is also positioned to make an upgrade during the season. Don’t be surprised if Utah goes all in if an All-Star-caliber player becomes available prior to the 2024 trade deadline. With a treasure chest of first-round picks and a couple of appealing expiring contracts, the Jazz could be buyers in 2023-24.

As far as competition, the Western Conference is a deeper group than the previous year. Teams like the Thunder, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs should be better, while the top-tier teams will still be very good. 

However, the Jazz should be able to pick up some games, considering they’re young and deep. While other teams will be resting their stars and managing minutes, the Jazz are positioned to put their best foot forward with only two players over 30.

The way I see it, barring major injuries, the Jazz should be in the top ten of the Western Conference.

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