Jazz Disrespected in New Win/Loss Odds for 2023-24 Season

The disrespect is real. Despite winning 37 games in the 2022-23 season, DraftKings has set the odds of the Utah Jazz winning over 34.5 games this year at -140. In layman's terms, a bettor would have to risk $140 to win $100 on such a wager.

The thought of regressing is somewhat eye-opening, coming on the heels of a season where Utah’s front office put up roadblocks in an effort to deter the Jazz from winning games. With the upgrades to the Jazz roster this offseason, tanking games should be a thing of the past.

Jazz play-by-play broadcaster Craig Bolerjack shared his thoughts on Utah's rebuild when he joined ESPN 700’s The Bill Riley Show.

The Bill Riley Show Part 2 7-11-23 #BillRiley #UniversityofUtah #UtahJazz #Basketball #Football #Interview #NBA https://t.co/pLvzIZLtAq
— ESPN 700 | 92.1 (@ESPN700) July 11, 2023

“I think Danny Ainge is on the fast track,” Bolerjack said. “I don’t think this is a slow rebuild, and Bill, I don’t know what you see, but I think they want to push this ahead as fast as they can, and it may depend on what Taylor Hendricks and [Brice] Sensabaugh bring. Because a second unit always brings a punch and also, can you play high-level defense when it counts, and I’ve seen the young guys hustle pretty well so far in the Summer League.”

From this point of view, barring injury, the Jazz should cruise to more than 34 wins. Considering the roster will be acclimated to head coach Will Hardy’s system, the Jazz should be able to hit the ground running out of the gates with the players, coaches, and upper management on the same page.

Also, with Hardy’s track history of player development, Jazz fans can expect the young core to be better versions of themselves as the season moves along.

Utah is also a much deeper team than they were in 2022-23. The addition of John Collins now puts last year's starter Kelly Olynyk and No. 9 overall pick Taylor Hendricks coming off the bench. That’s a big upgrade from their post-All-Star break options of Damian Jones and Udoka Azubuike from last year.

Utah’s depth doesn’t end in the front court with the backcourt being one of the deepest in the league. It remains to be seen which players will be the reserves, but Hardy has six capable guards to distribute minutes to, which bodes well if the Jazz are bitten by the injury bug.

The depth will come in handy in a day and age where injuries are inevitable. The Jazz are much more equipped to manage any setbacks compared to last year.

Utah is also positioned to make an upgrade during the season. Don’t be surprised if Utah goes all in if an All-Star caliber player becomes available prior to the 2024 trade deadline. With a treasure chest of first-round picks and a couple of appealing expiring contracts, the Jazz should be buyers looking to improve their roster in-season.

As far as the competition, the Jazz will have a tougher road this season. Utah will be playing in a deeper Western Conference, with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs being much more difficult to deal with. However, the way I see it, the Jazz are primed to win in the range of 40-45 games in year two of the Hardy reign.

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