The Utah Jazz are, without question, a more competitive and entertaining team than they were last season. The ball movement is sharper, the energy is higher, and the roster-while still developing-has shown flashes of cohesion that were hard to come by a year ago.
But as we head into the heart of the season, the signals are getting louder: the Jazz are pivoting toward the long game. Translation?
The tank is officially back on.
Let’s start with the most telling sign-Lauri Markkanen. The All-Star forward missed a couple of games earlier this month with what the team labeled a groin injury.
He returned briefly to face the Nuggets, but now he’s back on the shelf, reportedly for “injury management.” That’s not the kind of language you use when a player is pushing through a minor tweak.
Add to that the news that Jusuf Nurkic is also sitting out for rest, and the picture becomes clearer. This isn’t about short-term wins-it’s about long-term positioning.
Here’s the Jazz’s official injury report heading into their matchup with Memphis:
- Lauri Markkanen (right groin; injury management) - OUT
- Jusuf Nurkic (rest) - OUT
- Walker Kessler (left shoulder; injury recovery) - OUT
- Georges Niang (left foot; stress reaction) - OUT
- Elijah Harkless and John Tonje - OUT (G League assignments)
That’s a depleted frontcourt if there ever was one, and it’s arriving at a time when Utah is facing a Grizzlies squad that’s also been hit hard by injuries this season. Memphis has been inconsistent, largely due to their own injury woes, but if they decide to lean into the tank as well, we could be looking at a full-on stealth showdown for lottery position.
Now, let’s talk strategy. There’s been some debate around whether the Jazz were actually planning to tank this year.
After all, they’ve looked better than expected, and Markkanen’s play has been a big part of that. But the latest trade rumors suggest Utah is very much aware of its draft obligations-and the looming threat of their pick conveying to Oklahoma City.
That adds another layer of urgency to the situation. If you're going to tank, you better commit to it.
And the Jazz are starting to show that commitment.
This could just be the beginning. If Markkanen starts missing games more frequently and Nurkic’s minutes become sporadic, don’t be surprised if both are moved before the trade deadline. Veterans like them could bring back valuable assets or simply clear the runway for Utah’s younger core.
And that’s really what this is about-development. Fans in Salt Lake City aren’t blind to the process.
They know this season isn’t about chasing a playoff spot. It’s about building something sustainable.
That means letting the kids play, even if it gets ugly at times.
Keyonte George has been the standout among the young group-he’s shown poise, shot-making, and flashes of leadership that suggest he could be a cornerstone. But the rest of the rookie class hasn’t quite found its rhythm yet. Brice Sensabaugh, Kyle Filipowski, Taylor Hendricks, and Cody Williams have all had their moments, but consistency has been elusive.
The Jazz embracing the tank gives those players more room to grow. There’s less pressure, more minutes, and more opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them. It’s not always pretty, and it won’t always be fun to watch, but it’s the kind of developmental runway that can pay off in a big way down the line.
Over the next few months, expect more nights like this-veterans sitting, young players getting extended run, and the scoreboard not always being kind. But if it means keeping their draft pick and giving their young core a real chance to grow, it’s a price Utah seems willing to pay.
Painful? Sure. But purposeful.