In order to completely understand the moves a team makes the timeline of events must be listed as well.
Pre Draft
As a part of the 5 team Jimmy Butler the Jazz trade away Jordan Clarkson, and picks 10 and 32. In return they receive Pick 12, Duncan Robinson, AJ Griffin, a 2027 Clippers SRP, and the better of the Hawks/Jazz 2029 FRP.
Explanation: Moving back 2 spots in the draft and trading away an early SRP gets the Jazz into a better draft position in the future. It also gives them a pure shooter on the wing and a prospect who was a good shooter his rookie year.
Kenneth Lofton Jr's non guaranteed contract is waived
Darius Bazley's non guaranteed contract is waived
Omer Yurtseven's non guaranteed contract is waived
Draft
Pick 12 the Jazz select Ja'Kobe Walter
Pick 29 the Jazz select Tyler Kolek
Explanation: The Jazz select a pure shooter in Walter, showing a very clear sign of targeting shooting this offseason. Danny Ainge also selects Kolek who may remind him of Payton Pritchard a bit.
Free Agency
The Jazz acquire Derrick Rose and the 2026 and 2028 Hawks SRPs in exchange for the Jazz 2029 SRP.
Explanation: This is a pure salary dump by the Grizzlies and the Jazz get a SRP for the future. Rose is immediately waived.
The Jazz improve their position even further in the 2029 draft pick by completing a FRP swap with the Kings in exchange for taking on the salary of Chris Duarte and Davion Mitchell. The Jazz also trade a 2030 SRP to the Spurs in the process.
Explanation: The Jazz are in the process of continuing to improve their future draft position, betting on their team being much improved in the future. Duarte is waived after completing the trade.
Signing Lester Quinones away from the Warriors to a w year 9 million dollar deal gives the Jazz a versatile young player to add to their rotation. The 2nd year is non guaranteed and decreases from 5 to 4 million.
Resigning Luka Samanic to a 2 year 8 million dollar deal brings back a familiar face. The 2nd year is non guaranteed.
Resigning Udoka Azubuike after a year away to a 1 year minimum gives them a little depth. This is non guaranteed until January 10th.
Start of Season
Starting lineup:
Keyonte George
Ja'Kobe Walter
Lauri Markkanen
Taylor Hendricks
John Collins
The bench is more prototypical with Kessler, Mitchell, Robinson and Sexton all having more defined roles and being veterans. Samanic, Brice Sensabaugh and AJ Griffin split time in the rotation as well. Kolek starts the year in the g-league.
During the season
The Jazz are clearly not prioritizing winning this year and instead focus on development and fit. Markkanen plays at an all star level but doesn't get much traction as the team isn't winning. Collins eventually moves to the bench for Kessler which improves the defense considerably. Samanic eventually ends up out of the rotation completely as Quinones starts getting more minutes. In early January Azubuike is waived opening a roster spot for their 6 million cap space. By doing this, they let the league know they can help with future trade facilitation.