Jazz execute master tanking plan with Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. decisions

The Utah Jazz held a seven-point lead at the end of the third quarter on Saturday night against the Orlando Magic.

Lauri Markkanen already had 27 points. New guy Jaren Jackson Jr. had 22 points. And neither played in the fourth quarter.

Mission accomplished in the end: Magic 120, Jazz 117.

Utah proved the big guys can play well together. And then the Jazz still lost to enhance their draft positioning.

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That wasn't even the cherry on top of the tanking plan, either.

Nope. With the Jazz down three and seven seconds left, Utah didn't use its last timeout to set up a play and advance the ball to halfcourt.

Instead, Isaiah Collier got to mount his attack from full court and missed the potential tying 3.

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Utah falls to 16-37 with the loss.

The Jazz traded for Jackson at the deadline because they saw an opportunity to add a star. They didn't do it to win more games this season, though.

Instead, they want to start being a contender next year. This campaign was too far gone, and they'd still like a good draft pick in a stacked draft class.

Then they'll add whoever that rookie is to a rotation that now includes two immensely impressive scoring big men in Markkanen and Jackson.

The duo may sit out a lot of fourth quarters the rest of the way. But next season, they'll be a problem for opposing teams, for sure.

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