Nothin' But Nets
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NBA: Preseason Ranking for the Western Conference

By Tj Porreca

Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kevin Durant addresses the media in a press conference after signing with the Golden State Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kevin Durant addresses the media in a press conference after signing with the Golden State Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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5.  Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz roster has great potential going into the 2016-17 season. Utah retains several of its players from last season, including Gordon Hayward, Rudy Gobert, Dante Exum, and Derrick Favors.

Exum is coming off of a knee injury, but Utah is expecting a full recovery.

Utah took a smart path when constructing their roster. They drafted many young players, and then filled out the roster with experienced veterans. To go along with their young core, Utah added Joe Johnson, George Hill, Boris Diaw and others as they look toward the postseason.

Utah finished last season under .500, but with all of the veterans the Jazz brought in, they should be better positioned in the standings this year. If Utah does fulfill expectations and make the postseason, they’ll be able to rely on the likes of Hill and Diaw. Hill has playoff experience with the Indiana Pacers, and Diaw has championship experience with the San Antonio Spurs.

It will also be interesting to see how Johnson produces. He spent four seasons in Brooklyn on Nets teams with high expectations. The former Nets guard and forward will now try to make the playoffs with an up-and-coming team in Utah.

Next: No. 4