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NBA Power Rankings: Impact of the 2015 Trade Deadline

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 22, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) looks on before the game against the Washington Wizards at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) looks on before the game against the Washington Wizards at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 23, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) and center Rudy Gobert (27) leave the court after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 90-81 at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) and center Rudy Gobert (27) leave the court after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 90-81 at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

21. Utah Jazz

Previous: No. 21

Record: 21-34

Last Week: 2-0

Key Acquisitions: N/A

The Utah Jazz made a statement when they traded Enes Kanter for an underwhelming return. Not only did they part ways with a player they didn’t plan on re-signing, but they committed to Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert as their interior of the future.

Smart decision.

Utah has as promising a frontcourt as any team in the league with Favors, Gobert and Gordon Hayward. Hayward is a dynamic playmaker averaging an efficient 19.6 points at 24 years old, while Favors is a two-way power forward and Gobert is already an elite rim protector.

According to NBA.com, Gobert has the best opponent field goal percentage at the rim in the association.

The future is bright in Utah.

Guard play has been a question mark, but Dante Exum was a Top 5 pick in 2014 and Trey Burke is flashing his potential. He’s scored 23 points on 52.9 percent shooting, 19 on 45.0 percent shooting and 16 on 4-of-6 conversion from beyond the arc since a dreadful 0-for-10 performance against the Dallas Mavericks.

Having won four of five, Utah is already better than it seems.

Next: Instant Offense Acquired