What’s next for the Utah Jazz this offseason?
Jun 4, 2026, 2:16 PM | Updated: Jun 5, 2026, 10:49 am
Utah Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (20) and guard Ace Bailey (19) talk as they throw shirts into the crowd after an NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — With the NBA Finals officially underway, the true offseason is set to start later this month.
The Utah Jazz have already checked a few boxes since the end of the regular season, but several key dates and storylines still await this summer.
Let’s look at a roadmap and preview everything on tap for the Jazz leading into the 2026-27 season.
Outside of the NBA Draft and a potential Walker Kessler extension, what are you most looking forward to in the Utah Jazz’s offseason?#TakeNote | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/u2xrMXs432
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) June 4, 2026
Utah Jazz Offseason Roadmap: Draft, Free Agency, Summer League, And More
The NBA Draft – Tuesday, June 23
Even before the lottery, anticipation was building in Utah for the draft. Now, with the No. 2 overall pick, hype is at an all-time high.
The front office is already revving up for free agency, but the majority of the focus is on adding a top-tier prospect to the roster. Whether it be Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, or Cam Boozer, the Jazz are ready to welcome a new rookie into the mix.
The next two and a half weeks will be filled with private workouts, interviews, and discussions with other front offices across the league. Once the pick is made, there will be no shortage of action, though.
Free Agency – Wednesday, July 1
Exactly one week after the conclusion of the second round of the NBA Draft, the league calendar will reset, and free agency will open.
July 1 to July 5 is the NBA’s moratorium period, a temporary window where both free agent contracts and trades are discussed. Every move can be made official on Monday, July 6.
The biggest domino to fall during this time will be a potential extension for Utah center Walker Kessler, who is a restricted free agent. A deal for the fifth-year big man has been rumored to fall somewhere in the $25M to $35M range. Though an official number will not be released until an agreement is reached next month.
There are five potential outcomes between the Jazz and Walker Kessler this offseason. Utah re-signs Kessler, he signs an offer sheet and Utah matches, he signs an offer sheet and Utah does not match, both sides cooperate on a sign-and-trade, or Kessler signs the qualifying offer to head into unrestricted free agency next offseason. By far, the two most likely outcomes are the ones that see Kessler wearing a Jazz jersey next season. A distant third would be the sign-and-trade possibility, which would at least allow Utah to capitalize on what is a positive asset.
All of that said, it is equally unlikely that the Kessler situation will be all Utah does in free agency. President of basketball operations Austin Ainge said that the franchise will be “appropriately aggressive” in both free agency and the trade market in an interview on the KSL Sports Zone last week.
The focus for the Utah Jazz right now is the NBA Draft.
Almost immediately after the pick is made, the focus shifts to other routes of team building.
Austin Ainge said that Utah will be “appropriately aggressive” in free agency and in the trade market this offseason. He also…
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) May 26, 2026
Whether it be Jusuf Nurkic, Kevin Love, outside additions, or all of the above, expect the Jazz to stay busy through much of July.
Summer League – Saturday, July 4
While the front office is occupied early in the month, young players on the roster will hit the court for the first time in this new cycle.
The Salt Lake City Summer League slate was announced in April. The Jazz, Hawks, Grizzlies, and Thunder will all occupy the Huntsman Center on the University of Utah campus on July 4, 6, and 7.
RELATED: Utah Jazz announce 2026 Salt Lake City Summer League schedule, teams
The No. 2 pick, Ace Bailey, and other young players are all expected to suit up for Utah. Right after the SLC event comes to an end, the Vegas Summer League will open on July 9.
The schedule for Vegas has not been released yet. Though the NBA tends to put the top picks against one another. So it’s a safe bet to assume that Utah will face Washington, and potentially Memphis and Chicago as well.
The Dead of the Offseason – Late July through August
Once the summer league and the initial wave of free agency pass, the league will head into its quietest part of the year.
Outside of two-way deals, Exhibit 10 contracts, and other roster-filling moves, there will be little in the way of news during this stretch.
However, the NBA schedule is usually released in early August to break up the period of silence.
The Final Stretch – Late September through October
Typically between September 25 and 30, NBA teams will host their media days, which mark the start of training camp and the build-up to the regular season.
Preseason games are then played across the first and second weeks of October. In years past, the Jazz have played games at neutral sites in the preseason, such as Seattle and Honolulu.
Also of note, Delta Center renovations have already started and will run up through the preseason. Last year, the first event held in the arena after the first round of renovations was the Jazz’s preseason game against the Mavericks on October 13.
