Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz is another team that kept its off-season moves to a minimum. It was understandably focused on extending Donovan Mitchell and making space for the eventual extension that will be provided to two-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. They attempted to re-sign Jordan Clarkson as well as added big man Derrick Favors.
Jazz enters this season in an attractive place: On the other hand, Mitchell’s improvements shown in Orlando were exciting and very well could push the band to higher gear. On the other, some Western countries are even more terrifying if not more than last season. The team will hope that a healthy campaign from key man Bojan Bogdanovic, as well as a better season from Mike Conley, who looked good all year, will keep them, at least, in contention for a higher interest rate coming to an end.
Houston Rockets
Currently, the Rocks still use James Harden and Russell Westbrook, and as long as they do, it is hard to believe that at least they will not be a threat between the Western Conference. The question, then, is whether the two will be in the team or not until the trading deadline, and how hard they will choose to play while enduring a situation that makes them less active.
It is impossible to predict where the Rockets will be in the next few weeks let alone a few months, but as things stand, they are ready to enter this season as an opposition team.
Dallas Mavericks
Dallas’ off-season was not so outstanding, but they managed to get Josh Richardson of Philadelphia, who should add some defensive strength to the team ranked only 18th in last season’s defense.
Mavericks will start the season without big star Kristaps Porzingis as he continues to fix the lateral meniscus tears in his right knee, a fact that will really hurt them, but Luke Doncic has risen very quickly to become a superstar it feels good anyway.