Utah Jazz: Key Dates for the 2016-17 NBA Season
By Ryan Aston
With the Utah Jazz set to return to the hardwood in a matter of weeks, here’s a look at key dates on their calendar for the 2016-17 NBA season.
Basketball is seemingly just around the corner, as Utah Jazz players descend upon Salt Lake City to begin their preparations for the 2016-17 NBA season. While the team figures to have its best campaign in several years, the road to success is a long one. If the Jazz can get where they want to go, we’re talking an eight-plus month marathon.
Here’s a calendar of key dates, events and league deadlines the Jazz will encounter along the way this season–
September 26
Jazz Media Day — a.k.a. the day we learn where Boris Diaw goes to eat steak tartare, how many pounds of muscle Rudy Gobert put on during the offseason and what Dante Exum has been doing in open gym. It’s also the day many fans feel most optimistic about the team; thankfully there’s actually something to be optimistic about this year.
September 27
Training camp begins.
October 3
The Jazz return to the court for their preseason opener against Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum and the Portland Trail Blazers.
October 19
The preseason concludes with a rematch against the Blazers at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City.
October 24
Rosters set for NBA Opening Day. It’s incredibly unlikely that there will be any surprises here for the Jazz.
October 25
Start of the 2016-17 NBA regular season. As they did to tip-off preseason play, the Jazz will be at the Moda Center in Portland for a bout with the Blazers.
October 28
The Jazz home opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. While it won’t be near as sweet without Kobe Bryant on the floor — especially given his 60-point finale last April — Quin Snyder’s crew will be the overwhelming favorites in the game, which should result in a satisfying win for Jazz fans.
November 6-12
The Jazz embark on their first big road trip of the year, a five-game Eastern Conference swing. It begins with their only appearance at Madison Square Garden to face former Jazzman Jeff Hornacek in his new gig as coach of the New York Knicks, followed by a bout with No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers.
November 29-December 16
Time to make hay after a tough opening schedule; the Jazz play eight of nine games at home. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and, of course, Kevin Durant, make their only appearance at Vivint Arena as the Jazz and the Golden State Warriors do battle on December 8.
January 2-8
A five-game road swing featuring games against the Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies.
January 5
Teams can sign players to 10-day contracts. Given the fact that the Jazz currently have 14 guaranteed contracts on their roster, with Jeff Withey potentially garnering a 15th, this date may not have the same significance as it has had in years past.
January 10
All contracts are guaranteed for the remainder of the season. See above. Also, the Jazz host LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers in their only visit to Utah this season.
February 17-19
NBA All-Star Weekend 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina New Orleans, Louisiana. If the Jazz and their stars can maximize their potential, we could see a Gordon Hayward or a Derrick Favors in the All-Star Game. The trade deadline will also fall sometime around here in mid/late February.
March 1
Playoff Eligibility Waiver Deadline. In other words, if the Cleveland Cavaliers decide to waive LeBron before the deadline and Utah claims him, he’s eligible for the playoff roster and will lead the Jazz to the NBA championship. Yeah.
March 15-20
A difficult four-game roadie featuring the Detroit Pistons, LeBron and the Cavs, the Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers.
April 10
Utah’s final road game, a tough match-up with the Warriors at Oracle.
April 12
End of the regular season. I’m sure Jazz fans are looking forward to this finally not being the end of the line for the young-ish Jazz. The team closes with the San Antonio Spurs, which would be a tough game, except Gregg Popovich will likely be resting key players.
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April 14
Final rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2017, 3 p.m. ET
April 15
The 2017 NBA Playoffs begin.
April 23
NBA Early Entry Eligibility Deadline (11:59 p.m. ET)
May 1
Conference Semifinals begin. If the Jazz can win a playoff series and make it this far, it would be a major achievement. Still, it’s a definite possibility.
May 9-15
NBA Draft Combine 2017 (Chicago)
May 16
Conference Finals begin (possible move up to May 14 or 15). As good as the Jazz figure to be, it’s asking a lot of them to be in the mix at this point.
May 16
2017 NBA Draft Lottery. If all goes according to plan, the Jazz won’t be a part of this.
June 1
Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals.
June 12
NBA Draft Early Entry Entrant Withdrawal Deadline (5:00 p.m. ET).
June 18
The latest possible date for the 2017 NBA Finals.
June 22
2017 NBA Draft