After a flurry of baffling moves, Jazz are now in do-or-die mode

The Utah Jazz have found themselves in a win-now mode after some baffling moves over the last few months. 

Starting at the 2026 NBA trade deadline, the Jazz traded three first-round draft picks for Jaren Jackson Jr, an eight-year pro in the prime of his career. The Jazz acquired the forward with eyes on competing in 2026-27, a move that made sense at the time. 

The former Defensive Player of the Year was slated to play power forward next to dynamic defensive center Walker Kessler. The pair was set to be a dynamic defensive duo that would've been a tough combo to combat. With Jackson's dynamic defense and Kessler's rim-protecting prowess, the two were seemingly destined to be the next great defensive duo.

Can the Jazz contend in 2026-27?

Then the Jazz traded Kessler to the Los Angeles Lakers in a trade that netted the Jazz two first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033, as well as two pick swaps in 2028 and 2030. While the return may not end up matching the totality of the picks heading out for Jackson, the return was still solid.

The trade of 25-year-old Kessler wouldn't have been a big issue had the Jazz not traded for Jackson. After all, the Jazz have been in tank mode for years now. If they thought they could reach new heights in the draft in 2027, they likely would have tried. That would've involved trading away Kessler, Lauri Markkanen and other players who are on the wrong side of 25. 

Except they didn't. They traded for a 26-year-old forward who is quite bad at rebounding for a player of his height, and then traded away the guy they were hoping could make up for the lack of rebounding. They both simultaneously took a step forward and a step back. 

Now, with Jusuf Nurkic set to start and not being known for his defense (but being an exceptional rebounder), the idea is that the Jazz are supposed to contend this season. They landed Darryn Peterson in the draft, who will likely send Ace Bailey to the bench. If Peterson can be the guy he was in Kansas, then maybe, just maybe, the Jazz can be ready to compete.

If they don't, there should be no do-over for Danny Ainge and company. Kicking the can down the road isn't an option forever. Eventually you'll have to show some sort of payoff. That's what the Jazz faithful are hoping for; a payoff that makes the last few years of struggle all worth it. 

The Jazz made a baffling call to trade away Kessler when they needed depth, size and defense. If the arrival of Peterson can't help the squad get over the .500 hump, then there should be no reason why anyone has faith in Ainge going forward.