Jazz have quietly become another team standing in the Spurs' way

The Western Conference has been the equivalent of a coliseum fighting pit for a long time now because, for whatever reason, these franchises just know how to put teams together. Just when you think you have a beat on these organizations, someone makes a significant pivot to put themselves in the mix. That hasn't changed, and this time, the Utah Jazz will be coming.

Danny Ainge, former Celtics GM, has been overseeing a rebuild for years. Even after drafting Ace Bailey and housing Lauri Markkanen on the roster, tanking was the strategy again last season. Now, they've landed their big guard, and it's go time. Utah is going to be a problem next season, and the Spurs will have a new contender to deal with.

The Jazz followed the Spurs and Thunder blueprint

Utah's depth chart: Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Walker Kessler, Ace Bailey, Brice Sensabaugh, Kyle Filipowski, Jusuf Nurkic, Cody Williams. It's a collection of drafted talent they developed and quality players added through strategic trades to form a headache of a roster.

The size and defense of JJJ and Kessler will make it difficult to score in the paint. Bailey, George, and Peterson can provide high-level scoring with their shooting and ball-handling abilities. And the depth in this group is notable. Markkanen is their star talent, and their makeup won't allow teams to double him as often. There are too many threats on the floor. This is a legitimate Western Conference threat.

The Spurs were opportunistic in adding De'Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes to their roster, and they've already taken a trip to the NBA Finals. OKC traded for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander many moons ago, and dealing for Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein helped put them over the top last year. For the Jazz, Markkanen was their big get a few years ago.

They've nurtured him into a star, and now he'll have the help he needs to make noise in an already crowded Western Conference. The Spurs won 62 games last year, and while I have them surpassing that win total next season, it'll be much harder. There won't be as many blowouts.

Utah belongs in the Western Conference conversation

Now, much will depend on coaching and health, but let's just assume those things are in order. The Jazz wouldn't be rolling out a worse team than the Timberwolves or the Rockets. They'd potentially be just as viable as a top-four seed as the Denver Nuggets. There's only one Jokic, so I wouldn't go so far as to call them equals, but Utah can't be ignored any longer.

With the new anti-tanking rules, more teams should be expected to put up a bigger fight. Some will be more equipped than others, though. The Jazz certainly fall into that category now, and San Antonio will need to be ready to deal with the reality that a new opponent is trying to stop them from ending the 12-year title drought.

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