I'm not sure that "adding pieces" during the regular season works as well as some people hope. I think a contending team can add one piece and clearly improve. Adding more than that means risking having too many players on the floor that have not mastered yet the offensive and defensive system. By the way, that piece has been already added: it is Clarkson. A long and athletic 4, who could catch and shoot and spread the floor would be nice, of course, but those can't be acquired easily anyway... I just hope that Conley accepts a lesser role when he comes back.
On the main subject, regarding the Jazz's title chances, I think the Lakers are the only team half a step above everyone else in the West. If they are healthy come playoff time, they are the favorites. But that is a big "if"! With a Davis in pain, either unable to shoot well or less mobile, the Lakers drop to anyone else's level. The same, I think, it is true regarding Lebron: if he is too tired come playoff time, they also drop. Thus, the West is basically open, comrades!