Utah Jazz 2025-2026 guide: Roster, Depth Chart & Key Players
The arrival of Bailey gives the Jazz the superstar they’ve been missing to lead the rebuilding effort
Last season they were the worst team in the league, and so far the signs aren’t much better: 0-2 in the preseason, in high-scoring games with almost no tactical preparation; yet, for the first time in years, the Utah Jazz have found a clear direction, thanks to the development of the talents recently drafted.
At the end of the article, you can consult all the guides to the 30 NBA teams by accessing the Guide Index.
Dunkest NBA Fantasy Basketball has over 200,000 fantasy coaches competing every year since 2013 with points, assists, and rebounds. It’s free and can be played via iOS app, Android app, and Website.
Key Players
Lauri Markkanen’s (F, 13.0 cr) arrival in Utah was seen by many as a stalling point in the Finnish forward’s rising career – and in some ways it was – seeing such a talented player, who dominates for his national team at EuroBasket, “wasted” in a rebuilding setup is a real shame. But Markkanen seems reluctant to move elsewhere; he has taken the chance to become the undisputed leader of this young group, even earning an All-Star selection and demonstrating the development glimpsed during his years in Cleveland. Given his tendency to nearly reach double figures in rebounds, for just 13 credits you get one of the best top-value players by quality/price.
Isaiah Collier (G, 8.0 cr) has rapidly become indispensable in a system with few set tactics: a point guard with this level of maturity in his first NBA year hasn’t been seen since Haliburton in Sacramento, though he still has room to improve. His shooting isn’t top tier, nor is his ability to create his own shot, but his court vision and rebounding ability are among the best for his position; also, on a team that will play at insane pace, he has great chances to fill the stat sheet and has already shown familiarity with Triple-Doubles, so he’s a solid pick for big value.
Possible Surprises
Ace Bailey (F, 7.0 cr) didn’t want to be drafted by the Jazz, caused a media commotion pre- and post-draft, and even arrived to teammates significantly late – yet already he is the second best player on the roster – this hot-headed young man has a kind of talent that hasn’t been seen in Utah for quite a while. He scored over 20 points in both of his first preseason appearances. Starting a career in such a low-pressure environment will be a huge advantage for Bailey, letting him sort out behavioral issues and defensive laziness without intense scrutiny; meanwhile, for just 7 credits you get a pure scorer with unmistakable Paul George vibes and (in this case) even too much personality to establish himself immediately.
Another preseason standout is Brice Sensabaugh (F, 8.0 cr), a young 3&D wing who is finally showing the shooting improvements needed to take the growth step into becoming a starter for a more competitive Jazz. He’s not cheap, but all NBA insiders expect his blooming.
Players to Avoid
Kyle Filipowski (C, 8.0 cr) and Keyonte George (G, 9.0 cr) are the two young players most penalized by the new arrivals. The former will have to hope for injuries to carve out playing time; the latter, unless he improves both his offensive and defensive court vision, is likely to be relegated to a bench role, which might feel confining.
Likely Starting Lineup
PG: Isaiah Collier (Guard, 8.0 Credits)
SG: Ace Bailey (Forward, 7.0 Credits)
SF: Brice Sensabaugh (Forward, 8.0 Credits)
PF: Lauri Markkanen (Forward, 13.0 Credits)
C: Walker Kessler (Center, 12.0 Credits)
Power Ranking
The tendency toward a “Globetrotters-style” game will probably cost the Jazz another season of mediocrity, but the arrival of Bailey and the growth of promising youngsters like Sensabaugh and Collier complete a well-defined starting five, which also has good depth on the bench. The Western Conference looks too crowded for a breakthrough this season, but finally the future seems bright again in Utah.
Got more questions?
- Check out the full list of all Dunkest Guides
- Contact us on Instagram, and we’ll be happy to assist you!
- Follow all the news on our official Telegram channel
Dunkest Fantasy Basketball Player List NBA 2025/26
To make life easier for all draft mode enthusiasts, we’ve made the Dunkest NBA 2025/26 player list available for download in Excel format, so you can start planning your auction in the coming days.