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Welp, just when it appeared as though the Western Conference couldn't get any more competitive for the San Antonio Spurs, the Utah Jazz struck lottery gold. The Jazz, who blatantly tanked this season, were rewarded with the second overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
That should concern the Spurs, with the Jazz potentially emerging as an elite team in the West next season.
The Jazz obviously aren't on the OKC/San Antonio level, but just as far as talent and asset positioning, they're probably No. 3 in the West now.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) May 10, 2026
They have a roster that can probably win 50 games, the No. 2 pick in a loaded draft, they still have some swap rights from MIN/CLE.
In addition to having the second overall pick in this year's draft, they also have All-Stars Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. and a young starting center in Walker Kessler.
Add the likes of Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, orAJ Dybantsa to rookie Ace Bailey, and the Jazz suddenly could be sitting pretty. That's bad news for the Spurs.
The Spurs may soon have a new Western Conference rival
With the Jazz likely to be much improved next season, that changes the equation in the West for the Spurs. Besides the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings, there aren't likely to be any bad teams in the West.
The deeper the West, the tougher it becomes to win games as well as reach the Western Conference Finals. Utah could have an absolutely stacked frontcourt with two all-stars, including a former Defensive Player of the Year winner in Jackson Jr. and an elite rim protector in Kessler.
If that weren't enough, the Jazz will pair those three with Keyonte George, who had a breakout year this season, and the second overall pick. That starting five could be brimming with talent and give teams such as the Spurs fits next season.
The Spurs are among the West's best but the Jazz may join them
San Antonio is already having a fit trying to put away the Minnesota Timberwolves and haven't even gotten to the Oklahoma City Thunder yet. OKC is the best team in the West and the NBA until proven otherwise.
However, the Spurs are hoping to do just that. Nevertheless, the Jazz suddenly emerging as a threat next season would add plenty of intrigue and may even shake up the standings.
Adding potentially another 50-win team to the mix may mean fewer wins to go around in the West, even for the Spurs and the Thunder. Still, those two teams are at the top of the West's hierarchy until proven otherwise, though the Jazz may soon join them.
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