3. Utah Jazz
After trading away Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, the Jazz were not expected to show much competitiveness in the 2022-23 season. They exceeded expectations, however, and showed some serious promise. Lauri Markkanen, for example, had a breakout season and Walker Kessler put together an All-Rookie campaign.
This means that the Jazz now have the option to avoid a slow rebuild and accelerate their timeline. They have tons of cap space to bring in new pieces and Kuzma would offer plenty of what they need to take a step forward. Not only does he already have championship experience, but he is also on a similar timeline as Markkanen.
Markkanen was the Jazz’s leading scorer last season, averaging 25.6 points per game. Next in line was Jordan Clarkson, their other 20-point scorer. If Clarkson decides to leave Utah in free agency, the Jazz need someone to replace that production. On the other hand, if Clarkson stays and Collin Sexton is healthy, the Jazz could turn into a formidable scoring team if they add Kuzma to the mix.
Kuzma could also add some playmaking in the frontcourt, which they could use now that Mike Conley is in Minnesota. A frontcourt of Markkanen, Kuzma, and Kessler could surely be worth a try if the Jazz want to be competitive and they have the money to be an appealing destination for Kuzma.