Everyone already knows the Utah Jazz will turn things around next season after four turbulent seasons. That wasn't just because they were bad but because they didn't really know where they were going. Even with all the talent on the roster, because there's nowhere to go but up, there's no way this could go wrong, because all Utah needs to see is progress.
The Deseret News' Sarah Todd hinted at this when she revealed during her appearance on ESPN700, where she relayed her beliefs that the realistic expectation is making the play-in tournament. She even went as far as saying that if the Jazz missed the playoffs next season, it wouldn't be seen as an "absolute failure: but it would be a failure if they miss the play-in.
It would be unfair to label the Jazz as title contenders with how little playoff experience they have on the roster for the most part. Fans will be ecstatic just to see them compete again after the product they've had to endure through since 2022.
But if the bar really is at just making the play-in to have a successful season, it's further evidence that it's really hard to think of scenarios where the season goes wrong. They could have an injury-plagued season, but that can all be attributed to simply bad luck more than anything else.
Any step forward, whether it's enough to make the play-in or make the playoffs, is progress for the Jazz. After years of suffering, fans will be more than happy to accept baby steps or winning a playoff series or two if it comes to that.
The West will still be a bloodbath next season
No one would blame any fans if their expectations are a tad higher. At the same time, even if the Jazz wildly surpass expectations, the bar in the Western Conference is still at matching the same talent and cohesion that Oklahoma City and San Antonio have, and that is a high bar to clear.
Utah should be ready for anything because even with everything going right for them with getting the No. 2 pick and the potential re-signing of Walker Kessler, if they really do make it far next season, they will have earned their place because the West's talent goes beyond just the Spurs and Thunder.
That also indirectly means that fans shouldn't be surprised if they don't go that far because so many West teams will compete for a shot at the title while the Jazz will simply compete the best way they can. Of course fans would prefer the playoffs, but if the play-in is what it all comes to, that's still a major step-up from where they've been.
