SLC Dunk

Are you familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? It’s a concept that the needs of a human being fall into five distinct layers, typically visualized in the shape of a pyramid, with the most fundamental items required for survival at the bottom (air, food, water, shelter, etc.), and the least essential items (respect, status, and reaching one’s potential) near the top.

When the Jazz made the blockbuster trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. last February, a vision was put into place. A vision of a healthy Walker Kessler pairing up with JJJ to create the most daunting defensive rim presence in the NBA. Everyone was on board. Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Will Hardy, Danny Ainge, Austin Ainge, the Jazz fanbase. Everybody bought in but Kessler, who apparently wanted to do everything in his power to not play in a purple mountain jersey ever again.

WE ARE SO BACK! Almost, at least… The Utah Jazz will begin preparations for the highly anticipated 2026-27 season this week, starting Monday, September 28th, with media day. It feels like years ago that we sat in our living rooms together on Mother’s Day and watched as the Utah Jazz won the second overall pick in the NBA draft. Somehow it feels even longer ago that the Jazz used that second overall pick to select the highly touted guard from Kansas, Darryn Peterson.

The Utah Jazz season is about to begin. As the season approaches, more news and information is starting to leak. Here’s all the latest news and information. Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith recently appeared on the Front Office Sports podcast and talked about his path to owning the Utah Jazz. You can watch the full interview here. Probably the most interesting part of the show was Smith talking about the potential to bring a baseball team to Utah.

The have one of those good problems, but it’s still a problem The Utah Jazz have a problem. Well, not really a problem, more of a tough decision. The Jazz have to decide what to do with their starting lineup, and it’s not a simple thing. Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen, and Jaren Jackson Jr. are going to start. They’re the three players Utah has invested in with big, long-term contracts. They’re also the most reliable players on the team. It would be pretty shocking if they didn’t start.

Laddha’s journey to the NBA and how he got to Utah Darryn Peterson, his injury history, and whether he’s healthy for the upcoming season.

Once a Jazzman, always a Jazzman, and former Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert is an honorary member of the Jazz community for life. And thanks to perhaps the driest and most boring offseason in the history of professional basketball, I suppose fashion week is in order. And the Stifle Tower has delivered a perfect art piece for public discussion. I present to you: Le bouc de France. Certainly, I am no expert on facial hair. At 25 years of age, I still tragically cannot grow a full beard, much to my dismay.

It’s clear that a lot of the NBA is starting to figure out that the Utah Jazz might be on the verge of a special season. But they’re not getting just how good it might be. But they’re missing the biggest point of all of this. Utah has a team that would have been a playoff team last year if they’d pushed as hard as they could. That core, which added a former DPOY/All-Star in Jaren Jackson Jr., is adding a player who could be a top-ten player in the NBA. If anything, it’s very likely.

Keyonte George’s contract is a real bargain at $157.5M over four years, but the incentives make it even more impressive. Shreyas Laddha had great coverage of the contract, and you can read more about it here. Before we get to the incentives, I loved some of the reasoning behind the contract and the Jazz’s bet on Keyonte George. This quote from Laddha is especially interesting. For the Jazz, this contract extension isn’t contingent on just one season of excellent play.

The Utah Jazz held a press conference for Keyonte George, who signed a new $157.5M contract. The press conference included Will Hardy, Ryan Smith, Danny Ainge, Austin Ainge, and Justin Zanik. It also was important to note that all of George’s teammates were there to support him. Here is the full press conference if you missed it. Here are some notable quotes. Will Hardy talked about some kids who know him as “Keyonte’s Coach” Keyonte George: “Shoutout to the city, obviously….