3 Reasons to Watch Tanking Jazz

Hardcore Utah Jazz fans will continue to tune in despite roller coaster season.

Even though it was just a formality, the Utah Jazz have been officially eliminated from the playoffs. Since the trade deadline, it’s been a train wreck for Jazz fans, with the Jazz only posting three wins in 21 tries.

So, despite another year of no postseason action, there are still some reasons for the hard-core Jazz fan to tune in. Let's take a look a three reasons to watch the final home stretch even with the Jazz trending in the wrong direction.

Player Development

Not only will the Jazz rookies be getting plenty of runs for the remainder of the season, but some other young prospects will be looking to make the roster next season. Jason Preston, Michah Potter, Kira Lewis Jr., Kenny Lofton Jr., Darius Bazley, and Michah Potter could see a minute spike as the season unwinds.

Most of these players' stints in Salt Lake City won't last long, but could there be a diamond in the rough? At this stage, the Jazz might as well feed them minutes and see what they have.

Then there's Keynonte George, Taylor Hendricks, and Brice Sensabsugh. It looks like this trio of rookies will be in the Jazz rotation moving forward and will be getting starter-type minutes the rest of the way.

Draft Position

If you're on Team Tank, there's still a little more to play for. It looks like we can pencil in the Jazz with at least the ninth-best lottery odds, and there's still time to move up one spot to No. 8.

The Jazz are currently only one game behind the Brooklyn Nets. In the event of a tie, the better odds would be determined by a coin flip. That said, there's not a big discrepancy between the two spots. The eight spot would increase Utah’s odds of getting the first pick by 1.5% and a top-4 spot by 6%.

It not be much on paper, but it only takes one ping pong ball to roll Utah's way for the No. 1 selection. If Lady Luck were to give Utah the top pick, it would be the first time happening in the history of the franchise.

Jordan Clarkson’s Last Game in a Jazz Uniform

The writing is on the wall. Multiple reports have suggested that Utah will be looking to part ways with its most tenured player this summer via trade.

It's been a fun ride, but at this stage, Clarkson is at an age that doesn't fit what Utah is trying to do. Clarkson hasn't played since March 25, and there's no guarantee he’ll suit up again. However, I expect him to suit up at least one more time at the Delta Center and get a standing ovation before he moves onto the next phase of his career.

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