2016-17 Will Be Huge Year For Utah Jazz’s Future

With so many contracts set to expire in the near future and difficult decisions looming, 2016-17 will be a vital proving ground year for each Utah Jazz player to show their worth. 

With the exception of a few changes and minor additions here and there, the Utah Jazz have remained largely focused on building their core from within since allowing Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson to walk in 2013. During that time, it’s no secret that the Jazz have been able to put together a team packed with talented young players.

Yet despite a solid group of players in the likes of Gordon Hayward, Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors, Rodney Hood, Alec Burks and Dante Exum, the Jazz haven’t produced an All-Star since Deron Williams in 2010-2011, and haven’t qualified for the playoffs since the 2011-2012 season.

The Jazz have reached the point where it’s likely that they aren’t going to make much of a push forward unless they add some talent from other teams via trades or free agency.

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There’s certainly time for players such as Exum, Hood or Trey Lyles to develop into the kind of stars that Utah needs. However, it’s becoming more likely that Hayward and Favors are nearing their respective ceilings.

While it’s possible that Utah will begin making some changes this season–Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey has already alluded to the fact that the team has looked into impactful trades–it’s also hard to see the team blowing up too much this offseason. There were so many injuries this past year that it’s difficult to say who does and doesn’t fit in the long-term plans.

However, following the 2016-17 season, the Jazz won’t be able to put decisions on hold for much longer. Gobert, Trey Burke (who may be gone before this anyway) and Shelvin Mack‘s contracts will be up. Lyles, Hood and Exum will all be facing team options, and Hayward has a player option for the 2017-18 season. Favors will have just one year left on his contract.

With so many contracts set to expire or face team/player options at nearly the same time and with each improving player likely expecting a significant pay raise, the Jazz will have to be very selective about who they retain and who they look to move.

While building a young core organically certainly has its perks on the front end, once each of those players blooms into something formidable, it can become pretty pricey very quickly. With the salary cap set to rise to $110 million by 2017-18, max salaries are set to rise as well. Per The Salt Lake Tribune, if Hayward demands a max contract once again, he would be set to make around $33 million per season, while if Gobert merited a max deal, he’d make around $27 million.

That means if Utah chooses to retain both at a max deal amount that nearly half of the Jazz’s salary cap would be wrapped up in those two players alone. And that’s not considering the expiring contracts, what Favors will demand in the following year, where Alec Burks fits in the next few years or how to carve out room for any potentially added free agents.

Suddenly Dennis Lindsey’s job doesn’t sound so appealing does it?

Most of the core is locked in for 2016-17, but what effect will these contract situations have for the upcoming season? More than anything, they’ll make next season a proving ground year where each player is playing to show their worth, not only to the Jazz, but to teams across the league.

Each player’s performance will be even more highly scrutinized as Jazz brass will undoubtedly be evaluating each player and their fit with the team to decide whether they deserve a big pay raise and contract extension or if they should be let go. Needless to say, we should see a heightened competitiveness out of this Jazz team next season as they look to prove their worth.

Now, it’s no guarantee that any of the Jazz players will necessarily demand or earn a max contract following the 2016-17 season. Personally, I think it’s ridiculous for a non All-Star to be making that kind of money, but such is the way of the current NBA.

There’s also the chance that players will see the long-term goal and potential of this Jazz squad and be willing to take a pay cut to remain with this tight knit unit. I know we’re not the San Antonio Spurs and I’m probably dreaming, but hey it could happen, right?

Right?!

What I’m trying to say is that, there are a lot of “what ifs” in play here. Until we see what happens this offseason and how these players perform this upcoming year, there’s no way of knowing how the salaries, roster or team as a whole will shake out.

Nevertheless, you can guarantee that the results of this upcoming season will lead directly to big decisions that will directly impact the future of this team.

Will Hayward and Favors finally become All-Stars? Or will they start to plateau? Will Alec Burks have the breakout year fans have anxiously been awaiting? Or will he continue to be plagued by injuries? Will Rudy take the next step towards being elite? Or will he remain largely one-dimensional?

All of these questions and many, many others will determine not only who the Jazz can afford after 2016-17, but who they’re willing to move or retain. It’s sure to be an intriguing year, swirling with rumors, heated opinions among fans and intense competitiveness on the court.

I’ve already explained my observations of which players need to be retained and which are shoppable, but those views will surely change throughout this busy offseason and into next year.

Next: Utah Jazz: Time to Cash In On Future Picks is Now

The 2015-16 season may have just barely come to an end for the Utah Jazz, but I can hardly wait to see what story lines emerge based on next year’s performances. Don’t worry Jazz fans, it’s only 177 days until next season tips off.