The Utah Jazz find themselves at an intriguing crossroads with Jusuf Nurkic. While the team would love to have Nurkic back anchoring their frontcourt, the situation isn't entirely in their hands.
Unlike with Walker Kessler, the Jazz don't have the same level of control over Nurkic's future. But if Nurkic does decide to move on, Kevon Looney emerges as a compelling option to fill that void.
Now, Looney may not be the same player who helped secure three NBA championships, but his knack for offensive rebounding remains a valuable asset. His recent stint with New Orleans wasn't his finest, which is partly why he's about to hit the market as an unrestricted free agent. The Pelicans are expected to decline their $8M team option on him, paving the way for his free agency.
For a team like the Jazz, which is looking to maximize its potential this season, Looney's championship experience could be a boon. While the Jazz are still figuring out their ceiling for the upcoming season, bringing in a seasoned player like Looney could provide the depth and experience they need. And let's not forget, there's also chatter about bringing back Kevin Love, another seasoned veteran who could bolster their lineup if the price is right.
Even without Nurkic, the Jazz aren't exactly scrambling for big men. Their rotation, likely featuring Kessler, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Kyle Filipowski, is already quite formidable.
Markkanen is expected to start at the three, but with Ace Bailey ready to step in, the Jazz have the flexibility to shift Markkanen to the five when needed. This depth is enviable compared to many other NBA teams' frontcourt rotations.
Adding Looney, or even Love, would further solidify this already impressive lineup. Injuries are an inevitable part of any NBA season, and having a player like Looney, who excels in offensive rebounding, could be invaluable. His ability to crash the boards was something Nurkic brought to the table, and if Looney can provide that at a reasonable cost, it would be a strategic win for Utah.
Ultimately, while the Jazz would prefer to keep Nurkic, losing him wouldn't be catastrophic. Their frontcourt talent is substantial enough to weather his departure, and the addition of Looney could cushion the impact. The Jazz are positioned well, whether or not Nurkic stays, and their depth in the frontcourt ensures they're ready for the challenges of the upcoming season.
In Other News...
Jazz Just Sent Kyle Filipowski Into A Familiar Utah Squeeze
Kyle Filipowskis path in Utah already looks a lot tighter than it did a few months ago. The Jazz have been busy adding frontcourt bodies, bringing in Micah Handlogten and Jaxon Kohler at the same position, while also signaling they plan to keep Walker Kessler around as a long-term piece. When a young big is still on a rookie-scale timeline, that kind of roster churn can change the conversation fast, especially for a player whose future was supposed to be tied to the teams next stage.
The squeeze could get even more obvious if Utah follows through on its veteran plans. Jusuf Nurkic and Kevin Love are both in the mix to return, which would give the Jazz more experienced options and make minutes harder to come by for Filipowski if he sticks around through 2026-27. Even the jersey assignment has hinted at a shifting picture, with his number quickly handed to rookie Darryn Peterson just days after the draft. [Read more 🡒]
Jazz Suddenly Entering A Free Agency Conversation Fans Cannot Ignore
The 2026 NBA Draft is in the books, and the league already looks different after a wave of headline moves, from AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson going at the top to Giannis Antetokounmpo being shipped from Milwaukee to Miami. With LaMelo Ball and Julius Randle among the other names changing teams, the early read on the offseason is clear: clubs that want to matter in the next free agency cycle are trying to get their books, core and timing lined up now, and Utah is very much in that group.
For the Jazz, the conversation is less about chasing a splashy name than making sure the next step is a meaningful one. A young core built around Jaren Jackson Jr., Walker Kessler, Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen, Ace Bailey and rookie Darryn Peterson gives the front office a real structure to work with, but it also raises the stakes on every decision from here. If the Jazz can keep that group moving in the right direction, they can stay patient. If not, the upcoming market could force them to consider a different kind of move than they had planned. [Read more 🡒]
Jazz Still Have One Major Problem And A Veteran Could Fix It
The Jazz spent the draft land with Darryn Peterson at No. 2 overall, a move that gave the franchise a new headliner and a clearer direction for the future. But even with a blue-chip guard in place, the roster still has an obvious hole in the middle, and that kind of void tends to matter more once the offseason starts turning from theory into lineups.
Utah does not have a center signed to its active roster, which leaves frontcourt depth as one of the most pressing items on the checklist. That is why the free-agent market is already getting attention around the team, with a veteran big man who brings defense and flexibility standing out as the sort of low-drama solution that could stabilize things while the rest of the roster takes shape. [Read more 🡒]