Hardwood Knocks

Most NBA teams are thrust into a thorough rebuild after losing a top-20 player, but not the Utah Jazz. They have a superstar cornerstone in Rudy Gobert, which gives them license to chase playoff berths in the immediate aftermath of Gordon Hayward's free-agency exit. How high the Jazz can climb up the Western Conference ladder, though, ultimately depends on everyone else. Gobert will anchor a top-three defense, but he cannot ferry the offense to respectability outside the pick-and-roll. That burden falls upon Ricky Rubio first and foremost. He is one of the craftiest playmakers in the NBA, but the absence of a reliable jumper, or even a strong touch around the rim, can render certain offenses predictable. Hitting on another shot creator is paramount. The Jazz have Joe Johnson, but he's a million years old. Joe Ingles is one of the league's most underrated point forwards, but his on-ball value suffers when he can't leverage the shooting of Hayward or George Hill. Rodney Hood is a smart bet to lead this team in