The NBA preseason is heating up with rankings being released, and the Utah Jazz find themselves in a precarious position. Fox Sports has placed them in the same tier as teams expected to struggle this season, indicating a focus on maximizing lottery odds for the coveted No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg.

Jazz CEO Danny Ainge is not ready to fully commit to a rebuilding phase, but the team may need to trade veterans to secure a bottom-five finish. Recent performances from players like Lauri Markkanen and Colin Sexton show potential, yet the Jazz face a challenging season ahead.