Jazz Need To Make Moves, Develop Stars To Gain Respect From NBA Experts

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Even though the 2019 NBA Finals champion has yet to be decided, some experts are already starting to make predictions about who will win the title in 2020.

According to the betting lines at the SuperBook at Westgate Las Vegas, the Jazz have the 14^th best odds of winning the 2020 NBA Finals with odds of +4000.

The Golden State Warriors have the best odds at +175 and interestingly, the New York Knicks, who didn’t haven’t made the playoffs since 2013, were given the seventh best odds at +1600. Many anticipate that the Knicks will make a serious push at signing a big name free agent like Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving in addition to having a top draft pick in this summer’s NBA Draft.

The Los Angeles Lakers, who also missed the playoffs this season, were given better odds than the Jazz to win the championship in 2020.

No Respect

To KSL’s Unrivaled hosts Alex Kirry and Scott Mitchell, what the prognosticators in Vegas are forecasting is a major slight to the Jazz.

In the words of comedian Rodney Dangerfield, the Jazz are “getting no respect.”

Can't bear-proof this camp 🐻#MetGala pic.twitter.com/YiKrQcvmzM

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) May 7, 2019

To Kirry, what the Jazz accomplish in free agency this summer will give them their best chance at improving their odds.

“If you think that the Jazz’s odds of winning a championship next year are real, the odds are not good,” said Kirry. “And the odds are not going to get better unless the Jazz make actual movement that is uncharacteristically crazy.”

The bolder the move, the better, according to Kirry.

Lightning In A Bottle

Mitchell thinks that Utah’s best chance to improve its standing in the league is “get lightning in a bottle,” where an unexpected player, like perhaps Royce O’Neale, makes big strides.

Speaking realistically, Mitchell admitted that his pipe dream of Kevin Durant coming to the Jazz in free agency will likely never happen.

It’s also disheartening to Mitchell that players who have moved on from Utah, like Paul Millsap, Rodney Hood and George Hill, have found success with other teams.

Summer plans?

Registration is OPEN for @jazzyouth camps and clinics: https://t.co/4baY6y5SDN

Participants to receive an adidas camp jersey, basketball, socks and Utah Jazz ticket credit. Sessions longer than 4 hours include pair of Donovan Mitchell D.O.N. Issue #1 shoes. 🕷️ pic.twitter.com/4nxyzogslb

— Utah Jazz Doing Good (@JazzDoingGood) May 7, 2019

Kirry thinks that Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton, who emerged as an All-Star this season, give the teams like the Jazz hope that they can develop a lesser-known player into a future impact player.

Perhaps, once that happens and if the Jazz make a big signing in free agency, then Utah’s odds of winning that elusive title will improve.