The Utah Jazz are firmly in win-now mode.
Though rumors swirl around Gordon Hayward, their roster could be just about finalized for the 2016-17 campaign. Unless they choose to release one of their three non-guaranteed players (Shelvin Mack, Chris Johnson and Jeff Withey), they already have enough bodies under team control, and the depth chart looks terrifying:
The defensive acumen of that team is overwhelming, and the Jazz should be considered a serious postseason threat if they can stay healthy. Their win total masked their abilities this past go-round, as they finished No. 10 in simple rating system, which looks solely at margin of victory and strength of schedule.
Even treading water would have put them in the playoff picture. Now, they'll get to guard pick-and-roll sets with Hill and Derrick Favors/Rudy Gobert, which will make it difficult to run the NBA's pet play against them.
Had Utah held on to the No. 12 selection, it wouldn't have found as much immediate production. Even by hitting on a late-lottery pick, it would've required time for development, thereby forcing more responsibility onto weaker players. Additionally, the upcoming influx of draft picks mitigates the risk of trading one right now. The Jazz will be getting an additional first-rounder in both 2017 and 2018, courtesy of the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder, respectively.
With Hill, this team is ready to compete. And this offseason, that's all that matters in Salt Lake City.
Grade: A