Jazz Schedule Outlook: A Difficult January Awaits

The month of January will be a difficult test for the Utah Jazz.

As we approach the midpoint of the 2023-24 season, it appears the Utah Jazz have turned their season around. That said, what may be the most difficult part of Utah’s schedule awaits as it’s still unclear whether Jazz CEO Danny Ainge will be buying or selling at the February 8 trade deadline. How Utah fairs against stiffer competition will go a long way in deciding what path to take

After playing the Detroit Pistons at home on Wednesday night, the Jazz head out east to play three of the best teams in the league. Utah will be heavy underdogs against the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks, who have a combined 87% winning percentage at home.

It doesn't get any easier when the Jazz come back to Salt Lake City to begin a six-game homestand with the World Champion Denver Nuggets. Other than the Toronto Raptors, the remaining four games will be versus teams playing for the postseason. Utah will face the Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Oklahoma City Thunder before another road trip.

The way it’s been trending as of late, Utah may end up playing for keeps this year. However, Utah will need to show the Jazz front office that these last few weeks weren’t an anomaly if they’re not going to shop the likes of Jordan Clarkson and Kelly Olynyk come February.

Also, the Thunder are in possession of Utah’s 2024 first-round pick that’s top 10 protected. Utah would be drafting tenth if the season were to end today. Barring some injuries, Utah could very well be sacrificing that selection this season. If Utah falls into the bottom ten, the owed pick gets pushed into next year and would be top eight protected

Circumstances can certainly change with Utah facing the harder portion of its schedule, but for right now, there’s too much talent on the roster to take the foot off the gas in the quest for a top-five draft pick. 

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