The Utah Jazz have been a consistent contender since 2017, but there have been a plethora of issues surrounding them in the playoffs. For instance, the Los Angeles Clippers lost Kawhi Leonard in the middle of their series last year, but the Jazz succumbed to pressure and lost a 25-point lead in Game 6. Their execution in the playoffs have been subpar despite having the same core for many years already.

Donovan Mitchell has been phenomenal in the playoffs over the past two seasons, but the problem revolves around his supporting cast and offensive options that are available.

With the ascension of the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns, the Jazz are tasked to overcome two enormous hurdles once again this year.

Three Utah Jazz Problems That Need To Be Addressed

3. Not relying too much on outside shots

It has been well advertised that Utah relies heavily on their 3-point shooting to win every game. They are number one in the NBA in threes made, second in threes attempted, and fifth in percentage. The Warriors have already proven that a jump-shooting team can win a championship, but they also showed the need to have alternative schemes in order to still succeed on a cold-shooting night.

In Game 6 of that aforementioned series against the Clippers, the Jazz were scorching from long distance in the first half, but when Tyronn Lue adjusted his defense, Utah was in disarray and the Clippers snatched the victory. Ball movement could be improved in their offense, as Mitchell and Mike Conley are shot creators that can force the defense to react and create shot for their teammates.

2. Perimeter defense could still be better

There is no doubt that the Jazz have one of the best rim protectors ever in Rudy Gobert. However, the issue about their defense is when the guards and wings play lackadaisical coverage in the perimeter. As a result, it would be a straight line to the rim for the slashers, forcing Gobert to help and leave his man open.

In the early years of this iteration of Utah, offense was the major concern in the playoffs. Now, it's their failure to sustain their defense. Teams like the Denver Nuggets and Clippers would have an easier time executing their plays by surrounding their best players with shooters around them. Thus, Gobert is put in an uncomfortable position to leave the paint and chase shooters around in the corner.

If this problem continues to persist this year, the Jazz will have another difficult time in having a deep playoff run.

1. Consistent secondary scorer

This phrase must be one of the most overused ones to describe the Jazz over the past years. Defenses scout their opponents better in the playoffs because they are only focused on defeating one team. Thus, the game plan of Utah to space the floor every possession through constant pick and rolls is not necessarily effective for 48 minutes.

Talented individuals stand out in the biggest stage and Utah has massively lacked that. Conley has proven to be a go-to scorer when necessary in his previous tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies, but that is not the case anymore. Microwave scorers like Clarkson is not enough if Utah is going up against teams with the likes of Devin Booker and Chris Paul or Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry.

The Jazz front office must find a way to acquire a skillful scorer by the trade deadline to aid Mitchell in creating offense and making clutch shots for this impressive Jazz franchise.

Danny Ainge was recently hired as their alternate governor and CEO, so he could be the missing piece for Utah to negotiate a deal before the trade deadline. Ainge knows how to work his magic from his stint in the Boston Celtics, thus making it integral for him to surround Mitchell and Gobert with a proven scorer and possibly another lockdown and tough defender to defend the likes of LeBron James or Kawhi Leonard in the playoffs.

Utah's structure and foundation is amazing, but they still lack a piece or two to rise over the mountaintop.