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.

East:Atlanta Hawks • Boston Celtics • Brooklyn Nets • Charlotte Hornets • Chicago Bulls • Cleveland Cavaliers • Detroit Pistons • Indiana Pacers • Miami Heat • Milwaukee Bucks • New York Knicks • Orlando Magic • Philadelphia 76ers • Toronto Raptors • Washington Wizards

West:Dallas Mavericks • Denver Nuggets • Golden State Warriors • Houston Rockets • LA Clippers • Los Angeles Lakers • Memphis Grizzlies • Minnesota Timberwolves • New Orleans Pelicans • Oklahoma City Thunder • Phoenix Suns • Portland Trail Blazers • Sacramento Kings • San Antonio Spurs • Utah Jazz

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

Draft: Darryn Peterson (No. 2)

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)

Current roster

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 

Preseason Power Rankings: How all 30 teams stack up ahead of 2026-27

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

Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Basketball league for the 2026-27 NBA season

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

Complete schedule

36.5 — win total

+8000 to win division

+20000 to win NBA Finals

Best case: Play-In Tournament

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.

Worst case: Bottom of the West

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

Read the full Northwest Division preview