The Jazz peaked in the last edition of FPR, rising all the way to fourth, largely on the strength of a very favorable salary cap situation. While that situation remains positive, it looks a little less favorable to our larger panel this time than it did nine months ago -- several teams have moved ahead of Utah in cap space.
Utah drops two spots in Players given the uncertain futures of Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson and Mo Williams, who can all leave this summer. Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward and Enes Kanter provide hope, as do two more first-round picks (Nos. 14 and 21) in the upcoming draft.
The front office remains a strong suit, with long-time basketball operations chief Kevin O'Connor still in house and giving over the GM reins to the well-regarded Dennis Lindsey, formerly of the Spurs. The panel has less faith in coach Tyrone Corbin, however.
With a core of interesting young players, multiple draft picks and cap space, the Jazz remain a top-10 team in our rankings and look well positioned to succeed for the rest of the decade.
