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To say the least, the Utah Jazz have had an unusual season. After being one of the best teams in the NBA, they have lost 10 of their last 12 games. The fact that Donovan Mitchell has been sidelined for a handful of those games due to a concussion is mostly to blame for them losing 10 of their previous 12 games. Players like Rudy Gobert and others have also missed time while dealing with this losing skid.
When it comes to the Jazz roster, there isn't much this team needs other than to get the job done in the playoffs. They are currently on a slump as a result of their injuries, and everyone knows that once they are healed and back, they will dominate the regular season. For the previous few years, they have dominated the regular season but have failed to perform in the playoffs.
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Utah's frequent playoff failures might be due to a variety of factors. Being in the NBA bubble, Rudy Gobert being put in different defensive schemes than the Jazz are used to, and just not having that second star that a team clearly needs to win a championship doesn't help them either. Except for the Toronto Raptors and the Dallas Mavericks when Dirk Nowitzki and Kawhi Leonard were the lone true stars, no championship team in the last few decades has won with only one star.
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Rudy Gobert is unquestionably a star in his own right, since he has the potential to be the best rim protector this game has ever seen. Unfortunately for Utah, he isn't one of those offensive players who can truly take over a game, and although his defense is unmatched, not having a guy who can be the game's second scorer and take over a game does not help a team win a title.
Because the Jazz lack the second star they need to win an NBA championship, the most pressing necessity for this team at this year's deadline will be to find that actual second star to partner with superstar Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell has proved during his time in Utah there's a potential he may be the best guard in the league. Utah is a team that can easily win an NBA title if they can surround him with that second star who can take over a game and prevent opponents from running double-teams at him and other defensive scenarios that won't arise if they have that second star.
It'll be fascinating to watch what Utah decides to do by the deadline this year, given there are definitely areas where they need to improve. They've previously stated that they're seeking for a wing, and Jerami Grant may be the best choice for them. It will be difficult for them to get Jerami Grant, but the Jazz do have some extremely key role players, so they may opt to trade for a second star if they believe that having that star is more vital than having role players.
Utah will have some difficult decisions at the deadline this year, and they will need to make the right moves if they are to finally win that long-awaited championship.
