stay at the top of the pack as the top 4 teams in the West. Also, with a healthy Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka, it would be reasonable to assume that Oklahoma City could be considered in the same tier as the 4 above teams.

But after that, I think Utah's team compares quite well with New Orleans, Memphis, Portland, and Dallas. Hard to say which of those teams Utah will pass and which ones they don't. A lot of it depends on player development and how much the Jazz's young players improve in the offseason. But I don't think it's unreasonable to see the Jazz compete for a playoff spot next year.

Whether or not they make it is another story, but if I'm a Jazz fan (which I am), I would be disappointed if the Jazz weren't in the playoff race up through the end of the year.