If you add in the young players who are seemingly solid like Agbaji and George I disagree. That core team last year took our team from the 11th seed to 8th seed and held on until we shut it down. I think they are right around that same level and if one of the young players really breaks out could be higher. I also dont see Dunn getting that many minutes going forward. Unless Sexton really sucks and George falls apart and/or injuries.
Last year, the Jazz had Conley to steer the ship, and the Jazz got off to a fast start. They don't have that this year, and even coming in a few wins behind last-year's team would drop the Jazz in the crowded west. Also, while the Jazz may have held out Clarkson and Sexton late last season, the guys they played--like Toscano-Anderson, Samanic, Ochai, etc.--played more defense.
The Jazz have a few fundamental problems right now:
1) They're starting three guys who are non-shooters in Collins, THT and Kessler, resulting in no space for their drive-centric offense to operate.
2) They have precious little on-ball creation and have a hard time running an offense as a result.
3) The guys who offer some on-ball creation, like Clarkson, Sexton and Olynyk, are defensive liabilities.
This isn't an easy fix given who the Jazz have on their roster. Maybe the Jazz can make a trade or two to help their team. Maybe they can get to 40 wins this season. What that means is that the Jazz will then win one or two post-season games and hand a late lottery pick to OKC.
In the bigger picture, the Jazz are better off playing their youngsters and going after Holland, Edwards or Matas in the draft.