Utah Jazz 2024-25 Season Preview, Predictions, & Odds

After missing the playoffs the last two seasons, the Utah Jazz appear ready to focus on rebuilding their franchise.

NBA futures odds are available at the BetMGM online sportsbook, including basketball lines for NBA champion, division winner, and player awards.

Utah Jazz Futures Odds

Win Total: 29.5

Northwest Division: +30000

Western Conference: +25000

NBA Championship: +50000

The Jazz are an NBA odds long shot following last year’s 31-51 campaign.

Utah’s championship odds were +25000 this time last year, but have doubled ahead of the 2024-25 season. The team’s odds to win the West are +25000 after being +15000 last summer.

Utah Jazz Offseason Moves

The Jazz signed Lauri Markkanen to a five-year, $238 million renegotiation and extension.

Utah Jazz Additions

Utah Jazz Departures

Utah Jazz 2024-25 Betting Prediction

Prediction: Under 29.5 Wins (-125)

I predict that the Jazz will win under 29.5 games.

Markkanen was an All-Star in his first year in Salt Lake City and is capable of putting up big numbers, but he played in just 55 games last season and has only played at least 65 games in a season twice, never reaching the 70-game mark.

Markkanen is capable of putting the ball on the deck, but he primarily thrives as a catch-and-shoot specialist from 3-point land, cutting to the rim, and getting out in transition.

Lauri Markkanen skies for the alley-oop!

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Markkanen’s ability to fit into any offence makes him a strong fit for a championship contender, and he could’ve been on one much sooner had he not been willing to commit to Utah long-term.

However, Markkanen’s contract probably doesn’t change Utah’s immediate plans. They are likely going to focus on player development and position themselves for a spot in the Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey sweepstakes in next year’s loaded draft.

Utah is also slated to still have a ton of cap room flexibility in the middle and latter stages of Markkanen’s contract, especially when you consider the expected rising cap space.

So in short, Markkanen isn’t expected to be the face of this franchise for years to come, rather, a strong complementary co-star to a top-tier star the organization hopes to acquire in the future.

Collin Sexton should continue to get more run in Utah. Sexton is a lightning-quick guard who can finish at the rim through traffic, create separation with his solid ball-handling skills, get out ahead in transition, create off the dribble in the midrange, and hit the triple.

John Collins should also continue to get more run going into his second season in Utah. Collins can run the floor well for his size and capably knock down the trey. However, he profiles better as a role player than a featured star.

Keyonte George showed some promise as a 3-point shooter, a threat to attack the rim, and a playmaker, averaging 13 points and 4.4 assists per game. However, he shot just 39.1% from the field, though that could improve as the second-year pro gets more acclimated to the league.

Taylor Hendricks displayed promise as a big who can run the floor, protect the rim, and knock down the 3-pointer, which could help make him a key rotational piece in the future.

Kyle Filipowski displayed promise as a big who can move well, guard in space, rebound, protect the rim, make plays for others, and shoot the 3-pointer while at Duke.

Walker Kessler regressed in his second season in Utah, as his name has been hot in trade rumours. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Jazz try and move him for future draft capital, as a contender could look to add him for his rebounding and rim protection.

With all of this said, expect the Jazz to place a heavy emphasis on player development, which makes winning at least 30 games highly unlikely.