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NBA: The Big Question Facing Every Team In 2015-16

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Utah Jazz

How Good Is Utah’s Defense Without Exum?

When the Utah Jazz traded away Enes Kanter and promoted Rudy Gobert to the starting lineup at the trade deadline last season, they morphed into the league’s most stifling defense overnight — and it wasn’t even close. But lost in that swap at center was head coach Quin Snyder’s decision to put Dante Exum in the starting lineup over Trey Burke, another move that bolstered Utah’s greatest asset: its defense.

In 2015-16, the Jazz offense may be a bit better with another year under the belts of Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors, plus the return of Alec Burks. But with Exum missing out on a crucial year of development due to an ACL tear, just how good can we expect Utah’s defense to be?

The Jazz probably won’t hold opponents to 94.8 points per 100 possessions the way they did after the All-Star break last year, but with Gobert patrolling the paint full time, the Jazz have all the makings of a top-five defense again, even without Exum. If the Jazz can marginally improve their offense and boast another top-10 defense, they should be playoff-bound.

Next: Washington Wizards