Utah Jazz Owner Bullish on Team's Championship Aspirations

Ryan Smith believes the Jazz have the pieces in place to win a title in the near future.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:09pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, breaking down a Utah Jazz basketball game into sharp, overlapping geometric planes of navy blue, gold, and white, conceptually representing the team's renewed energy and championship aspirations.The Utah Jazz owner's bullish championship predictions are reflected in a cubist, geometric illustration capturing the team's renewed energy and ambition.Salt Lake City Today

Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith expressed high confidence in the team's championship potential for the upcoming season and beyond. Smith cited the team's young core of players, including Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen, Ace Bailey, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler, as well as the experienced coaching staff led by Danny Ainge and Will Hardy, as reasons why he believes the Jazz can win a title in the near future.

Why it matters

The Jazz have struggled in recent years, missing the playoffs for the past four seasons. However, Smith's bold predictions about the team's championship aspirations indicate he believes the roster overhaul and rebuild process is nearing an end, and the Jazz are poised to become a contender again in the Western Conference.

The details

Smith expressed his confidence in the Jazz's future during a recent interview on The Pat McAfee Show. He stated, "I believe we're gonna win a championship here in Utah. I look at Keyonte [George] and Lauri [Markkanen] and Ace Bailey, and Jaren Jackson, Jr. and Walker Kessler, and all of our picks going forward. Like, there's no 'woe is me' here at all. Like, we're gonna go do it." Smith also praised the team's front office and coaching staff, including general manager Danny Ainge, head coach Will Hardy, and assistant GM Austin Ainge.

  • The Jazz haven't made the playoffs since the 2021-22 season.
  • The team is preparing for the 2026-27 campaign after a four-year rebuild process.

The players

Ryan Smith

The owner of the Utah Jazz who expressed high confidence in the team's championship potential.

Keyonte George

A young player on the Jazz roster that Smith highlighted as part of the team's promising future.

Lauri Markkanen

Another young player on the Jazz roster that Smith believes can help the team win a championship.

Jaren Jackson Jr.

A player acquired by the Jazz as part of their roster overhaul who Smith is high on.

Walker Kessler

A young player on the Jazz roster that Smith sees as part of the team's championship-caliber core.

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What they’re saying

“I believe we're gonna win a championship here in Utah. I look at Keyonte [George] and Lauri [Markkanen] and Ace Bailey, and Jaren Jackson, Jr. and Walker Kessler, and all of our picks going forward. Like, there's no 'woe is me' here at all. Like, we're gonna go do it.”

— Ryan Smith, Utah Jazz Owner

“I am so freaking bullish on the NBA, and I'm bullish on where we are. Where Utah is going forward. Both of these organizations that I get the blessing to be a part of, we're gonna have one hell of a run. Like, it is gonna be a good time to be a Utah sports fan.”

— Ryan Smith, Utah Jazz Owner

What’s next

The Jazz will look to prove Smith's championship predictions correct as they prepare for the 2026-27 NBA season, which will be their first chance to make a deep playoff run since the team's rebuild began.

The takeaway

Ryan Smith's bold statements about the Jazz's championship aspirations indicate the team's rebuild is nearing an end and the organization believes it has assembled a roster capable of contending for a title in the near future. However, the Jazz will need to translate their owner's confidence into on-court success to validate his high expectations.