Danny Ainge was largely responsible for building some consistently excellent Boston Celtics teams, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that he made a bunch of shrewd moves upon taking a leadership role with the Utah Jazz in December of 2021. Within a few months, Utah blew up a perennial playoff team, hoarded first-round picks and, critically, reeled in Lauri Markkanen.
From that point on, Ainge’s Jazz were basically too good to properly tank. They started out the 2022-23 season too well as Markkanen exploded, earning an All-Star nod and Most Improved Player honors. What should have been one of the worst teams in the league had to sabotage itself to finish below .500—a brutal result leading into the draft that featured Victor Wembanyama.
The following season progressed similarly, only it mattered less because the 2024 class was so weak. This season, Utah has incurred fines for resting players that could actually help it win games.
If this reads like a backhanded compliment, that’s because it is. The Jazz have been too competent at the wrong times, and it may have forced this season’s risky trade for Jaren Jackson Jr.’s massive contract.