Jazz Projected to Have Major Cap Space During 2024 NBA Offseason

The best description of the most recent Utah Jazz offseason could be that it was done with the primary focus of patience. Despite having the opportunity on hand to make a big trade or signing to inch the Jazz closer to title contention, the front office, headlined by Danny Ainge and Justin Zanik, opted to take the long-term approach.

By drafting three first-round picks in June with Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George, and Brice Sensabaugh, along with making the move to bring in John Collins to the Atlanta Hawks, that about capped off the entire offseason for Utah. They look to enter the 2023-24 regular season with an improved yet still developing roster.

However, next offseason may end as the summer when the Utah Jazz will be in the prime position to strike.

During the summer of 2024, the value contract of Jordan Clarkson’s contract decreases by around $10 million, and the numbers of Talen Horton-Tucker and Kelly Olynyk’s contracts are set to expire. According to Keith Smith of Spotrac, this sets the Jazz up to have $41.6 million in cap space.

My first pass at 2024 cap space projections is complete:

1. Spurs: $55.3M
2. Magic: $51.3M
3. Jazz: $41.6M
4. Hornets: $40.7M
5. Pistons: $38.7M
6. 76ers: $32.9M
7. Wizards: $20.1M

A look at full projected spending power around the NBA in 2024 will be coming for @spotrac soon!
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) August 10, 2023

This looks to put the Jazz at a much similar cap number to what they were dealing with during this offseason. However, 2024 may be the time the Jazz decide to cash in all of their chips.

After another year's experience for the young players on the roster, opposing teams will have a better idea of what type of talent is in the possession of the Jazz. That makes a collection of young players, draft picks, and cap space the perfect storm brewing for a blockbuster trade to take place.

Utah will remain in numerous trade talks all year due to the asset pool on hand, but the biggest and best opportunities may come after the season comes to a close. In such a fluid league like the NBA, stars sometimes to go through teams like a revolving door. Utah might just be the perfect next destination for the next unhappy star that comes across the table.

A slight downside for the Jazz next summer may end up being the number of quality free agents set to hit the open market. With the biggest names consisting of Pascal Siakam, DeMar DeRozan, James Harden, and Klay Thompson, there lives some clear limited upside for any free agency aspirations Utah would have.

A whole season of basketball ahead of us, so many moving parts remain working out. Still, it is safe to assume the future of Jazz continues to look brighter with each passing day.

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