For newly-minted Utah Jazz general manager Justin Zanik, his team can compete for the title in the 2019-20 season.

Speaking with Jasen Lee of Deseret News, Zanik is optimistic in his first year as the Jazz's general manager. To recall, the organization — in an effort to move up the ranks as one of the best team's in the league — promoted Zanik from assistant general manager to the team's general manager over the summer. Given how the team has fared for the past two years and they key acquisitions in the offseason, Zanik believes that they have a good chance to win it all.

“I’m optimistic and we’re optimistic for the opportunity that we have because in the Western Conference we have so many good teams. Every game is going to be a competitive matchup and the East has improved as well. As we go into this (season), you want to be the last team standing so the decisions (you make), the people you hire — the coaches you have, the players you have — they’re coming here to (compete) too. We expect to compete. We are here to win and we’ll take our chances. We’ll work hard and let the chips fall where they may. But we’re excited about this season and we’re excited to compete.”

In the 2017-18 season, the Jazz notched a 48-win season in the tough Western Conference. Last year, they improved to 50 wins — a crystal clear sign that the Jazz are going to be perennial contenders in the next few years. Given these facts, perhaps Zanik's optimistic fantasies have a strong chance to become a reality.