SALT LAKE CITY – With Utah’s college football season wrapped up, local sports fans might now be shifting their focus to the Utah Jazz as we head into the new year. If you’re just tuning in, here’s a quick rundown of what’s been going on with the Jazz, who’ve had a rocky 7-25 start to the season.

### Offseason Recap
The Jazz didn’t make big moves in free agency this summer. While there were whispers about pursuing stars like Paul George and Mikal Bridges, the team’s main additions ended up being backup center Drew Eubanks and sharpshooter Svi Mykhailiuk. Their biggest moves came during the NBA Draft, selecting Cody Williams at No. 10, Isaiah Collier at No. 29, and Kyle Filipowski early in the second round.

Williams, a promising but raw talent from Colorado, started the season with the Jazz but has spent most of his time in the G League, where he recently dropped an impressive 36 points. Collier, with an NBA-ready frame, has gotten the most playing time of the three rookies but still needs to improve his shooting. Filipowski had a hot start to his rookie campaign but has struggled to regain momentum after an ankle injury.

### The Sophomore Class
Second-year players have had their ups and downs. Keyonte George got off to a slow start but has turned things around, averaging over 16 points, five assists, and three rebounds in his last 22 games while shooting much better from deep. He’s shown promise but still needs to work on defense and cutting down turnovers. Meanwhile, Brice Sensabaugh is being eased into a bigger role but has proven himself as a reliable shooter, hitting 38% of his three-pointers.

Unfortunately, Taylor Hendricks suffered a devastating leg injury early in the season that will keep him sidelined until at least 2025. Before the injury, Hendricks showed potential on both ends of the court, but now he’ll need to reset and prepare for his return.

### Veteran Performances
Despite their struggles as a team, some Jazz veterans are having strong seasons. John Collins has been a standout player, averaging nearly 18 points and eight rebounds while shooting efficiently from both inside and beyond the arc. Walker Kessler has bounced back from a tough sophomore season to become one of the league’s top rebounders and shot-blockers. Jordan Clarkson has been battling through a nagging foot injury but has still managed to improve his three-point shooting significantly this year.

On the flip side, Lauri Markkanen isn’t having his best year since joining the Jazz. While he signed a massive contract extension this summer, his numbers across the board have dipped as the team focuses on developing younger players. Still, his performance over the next 50 games will be something to monitor.

Collin Sexton has quietly been one of the team’s most reliable players this season. He’s putting up 17.7 points per game while shooting extremely efficiently from all areas of the floor and is the only Jazz player to appear in every game so far.

### Team Struggles and Future Outlook
As a whole, the Jazz have had one of their worst starts ever—second only to their inaugural season back in 1974. But there’s a silver lining: their poor record gives them a strong shot at landing a top pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. With elite prospects like Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey in this year’s draft class, the Jazz could land a franchise-altering player if luck is on their side.

Looking ahead, the NBA Trade Deadline is approaching fast, and some key Jazz players—like John Collins, Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton, Drew Eubanks, and Svi Mykhailiuk—could be involved in trade rumors. However, there’s no urgent need for the team to make moves this season since their focus remains on long-term development.

After February’s All-Star break, expect to see more minutes for young players as the Jazz gear up for another important offseason and draft process. Stay tuned—it might be a tough season now, but brighter days could be ahead for Utah basketball fans.