Utah Jazz season preview: Opening schedule, win projection and everything to know for 2026-27

The 2026-27 NBA season is here! Check out our team previews, including power rankings, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy advice.

Record: 22-60 (15th in the West, did not make the playoffs)

Signings: Jusuf Nurkic (re-signed for 2 years, $22 million), Jaxson Hayes (2 years, $12 million), Josh Okogie (2 years, $12 million), Keyonte George (5 years, $157.5 million rookie extension)

Key departures: Walker Kessler (traded to Lakers)

What’s exciting: After four years of coaching tanking teams, head coach Will Hardy finally has the talent to start exploring what a winning team looks like. And with Peterson, Ace Bailey and Keyonte George, a potential Big Three could blossom in Utah. The young guys will get to grow alongside veterans with Lauri Markkanen stretching defenses, Jackson getting stops on defense, and Nurkić filling gaps on both ends.

What’s concerning: Until Peterson shows he can stay on the floor, that worry will be in the back of everyone’s mind following his weird freshman season at Kansas. The burst and playmaking that made him a top high school recruit never really made an appearance in college as he dealt with cramps and injuries all season. Summer League was a positive step forward. But Utah needs to find out whether he can regularly get into the paint against NBA defenders. Doing that will help determine how much offense he can create for everyone else. — Kevin O’Connor 

Jusuf Nurkić is out a month (plantar plate tear). What’s the fallout? Uninspiring Jaxson Hayes steps in as the likely starter, but he’s not that appealing for fantasy. Kyle Filipowski gets a bump in the rotation, but I’d expect JJJ to play more at center than initially planned. Shoutout to Darryn Peterson for reminding people why he was one of the top prospects in his class. He’s a walking bucket who scores effortlessly. He should be an option as you approach the 100s. — Dan Titus

Opening week: 10/21 at Grizzlies, 10/23 vs. Pelicans

The offense projects to be a multifaceted one. They have pick-and-roll creators, off-ball options, mismatch hunters, and a head coach in Hardy who can dial up some schematic fun. If the defense can be serviceable — Jackson Jr. plus switchable size could provide a roadmap there — people shouldn’t be too surprised by them churning out wins.

I can’t rule out the defense being such a disappointment that the offensive juice is rendered moot, especially with the firepower they’ll have to deal with in this division — on top of the conference itself. — Nekias Duncan