The sad truth is I actually think the Jazz are not just one player away from being championship contending, but probably multiple players. The team is built for regular season success, but I think will be vulnerable in any playoff series with a team that can outplay the analytics by scoring at an above-average clip from the mid-range. As good as Conley and Mitchell can be together on the offensive end, I worry that back court will always be too small on defense. Having Bogey and Clarkson in the rotation is offensively potent but a total liability on defense.
Gobert gives us an unbelievably good "Option A" defense, but does limit what is possible for an "Option B". We essentially need perimeter defenders that are physically strong and agile enough to fight over screens and guard a player out in space. Finding that type of player who is not a liability on offense is a very tall order. The best case scenario is finding a diamond-in-the-rough prospect, but the Jazz haven't had much luck with their 2nd rounder/undrafted types lately.
It will be very hard to upgrade the defense without hurting the offense but I think they have to try. I don't want to be stuck in the "good but not great" world. I too am afraid of what Ainge might do, but am also not as protective of our current roster as others might be. While I admittedly let myself get excited last year when the team was cooking prior to the all-star break, I have always had a nagging sense that this roster is fundamentally flawed in its construction. If there is a move out there that can add size to our back court and athleticism to our wings I think we have to try, even if it means a major shakeup. In my mind, everyone but Donovan and Rudy are tradable.
