Based on the Jazz’s current roster following the 2026 NBA Draft, here’s my prediction for the 2026-27 Utah Jazz season.
2026-27 Utah Jazz Prediction
Record: 46-36
Western Conference Finish: 7th
Play-In Tournament: Win the 7–8 game
Playoffs: Lose in the First Round (4-2)
The expectation around the league is that Utah should return to the playoffs after years of rebuilding. The additions of Jaren Jackson Jr. (returning healthy) and No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson give them one of the league’s best young cores.
Predicted Starting Five
PG – Keyonte George
SG – Ace Bailey
SF – Lauri Markkanen
PF – Jaren Jackson Jr.
C – Walker Kessler
Top Bench
Darryn Peterson
Isaiah Collier
Brice Sensabaugh
Kyle Filipowski
Cody Williams
Team Leaders
| Category | Prediction |
| ————– | ————————–: |
| Points | Lauri Markkanen – 24.8 PPG |
| Rebounds | Walker Kessler – 11.2 RPG |
| Assists | Keyonte George – 7.8 APG |
| Blocks | Jaren Jackson Jr. – 2.5 BPG |
| Steals | Keyonte George – 1.6 SPG |
| Rookie Scoring | Darryn Peterson – 15.5 PPG |
Team Rankings
Offensive Rating: 12th
Defensive Rating: 8th
Net Rating: +3.6
Pace: Top 10
Awards
All-Star: Lauri Markkanen
All-Defensive First Team: Jaren Jackson Jr.
All-Defensive Second Team: Walker Kessler
All-Rookie First Team: Darryn Peterson
Coach of the Year voting: Will Hardy finishes in the top five.
Biggest Strengths
Biggest Weaknesses
Ceiling
52-30, 4th seed, second-round appearance.
Floor
39-43, miss the playoffs via the Play-In Tournament.
My most likely outcome is that Utah finally ends its playoff drought with a 46-36 record, establishing itself as one of the NBA’s rising teams and setting the stage to become a legitimate contender over the next few seasons.