Thurl Bailey highlights one thing that will challenge Utah Jazz next season
Aug 22, 2026, 11:34 AM
SALT LAKE CITY — Former Utah Jazz forward and current TV analyst Thurl Bailey is as excited about the upcoming season as anyone.
That said, in an interview on the KSL Sports Zone, Bailey highlighted one challenge that he believes will be especially important to address.
After trading for Jaren Jackson Jr. at last year’s trade deadline and following that up with a stroke of lottery luck, the Jazz are well-positioned to make a postseason push for the first time since the 2021-22 season.
The last four years have dragged on as Utah’s front office worked to build a team with a shot to compete for an NBA title. There are still many questions that have yet to be answered, and it’s likely that a true contending Jazz team will depend on the development of a few young players.
Still, Bailey believes Utah is heading in the right direction, and the next step is a playoff appearance this season.
Of course, we are talking about it on paper because everything has to be proven. When I look at the possibilities and the potential of what this Jazz team can be this year, I think we’re a playoff-bound team. I feel like we’re capable of that and then some.
As the Jazz transition back toward competitiveness in the Western Conference, head coach Will Hardy will face challenges that simply weren’t there during the rebuild.
Bailey dove deeper into this, not for a lack of ability or trust, but rather a looming decision that has to be made by the fifth-year coach.
Depth is the name of the game in the association right now. Star power still matters, but recent contenders have increasingly relied on deep rotations filled with players capable of contributing on both ends.
Bailey believes the Jazz’s core is set. The bigger question is who fills in the back end of Hardy’s rotation.
I think Will (Hardy) is really ready to show his coaching ability, full out. Not that he hasn’t shown it in the past years. I think that he’s done a fantastic job with everything involved. With the cast of characters that he has now, I think it will be more challenging to be able to put the right guys in the right places to succeed. We’ve seen him do that even in tough seasons. But now you’re talking about, ‘Let’s go win.’ I think we know what the core is going to be. I think that the seventh, eighth, or even ninth guy that you have to have to compete in this league, I think that’s where he’ll be most challenged. I’m excited to see Will (Hardy) do his thing because it’s time.
The Jazz’s presumed core consists of Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, Ace Bailey and Darryn Peterson. For next season specifically, Jusuf Nurkic figures to play a large role at a position of need.
Starting five? 🤔 https://t.co/knS8KU2Wbn
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) August 17, 2026
It gets really interesting after that. You need a backup point guard, so Isaiah Collier will likely slide in. Kyle Filipowski can play the four or the five for the second unit.
But who steps up after that? The list of names is a long one, and every player brings something unique to the table.
Utah’s title window isn’t open yet, meaning Hardy and the front office will have time to make measured decisions about the rotation.
Still, as soon as next season, the players surrounding Utah’s core could have an underrated impact on both the ceiling and floor of the group.
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Chandler Holt is a Utah Jazz insider for KSLSports.com and co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast. Follow Chandler on X for Jazz and NBA updates.
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