Utah Jazz
History 1975-2021 (47 seasons)

Teams Utah Jazz

The franchise began play as an expansion team in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz (as a tribute to New Orleans' history of originating jazz music). The Jazz moved to Salt Lake City in 1979. The Jazz were one of the least successful teams in the league in their early years. Although 10 seasons elapsed before the Jazz qualified for their first playoff appearance in 1984, they did not miss the playoffs again until 2004. During the late 1980s, John Stockton and Karl Malone arose as the franchise players for the team, and formed one of the most famed point guard–power forward duos in NBA history. Led by coach Jerry Sloan, who took over from Frank Layden in 1988, they became one of the powerhouse teams of the 1990s, culminating in two NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998, where they lost both times to the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan. Both Stockton and Malone moved on in 2003. After missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons the Jazz returned to prominence under the on-court leadership of point guard Deron Williams. However, partway through the 2010–11 season, the Jazz began restructuring after Sloan's retirement and Williams' trade to the New Jersey Nets. Quin Snyder was hired as head coach in June 2014. With the development of Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell into All-Stars, the Jazz launched themselves back into playoff contention.

The franchise began play as an expansion team in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz (as a tribute to New Orleans' history of originating jazz music). The Jazz moved to Salt Lake City in 1979. The Jazz were one of the least successful teams in the league in their early years. Although 10 seasons elapsed before the Jazz qualified for their first playoff appearance in 1984, they did not miss the playoffs again until 2004. During the late 1980s, John Stockton and Karl Malone arose as the franchise players for the team, and formed one of the most famed point guard–power forward duos in NBA history. Led by coach Jerry Sloan, who took over from Frank Layden in 1988, they became one of the powerhouse teams of the 1990s, culminating in two NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998, where they lost both times to the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan. Both Stockton and Malone moved on in 2003. After missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons the Jazz returned to prominence under the on-court leadership of point guard Deron Williams. However, partway through the 2010–11 season, the Jazz began restructuring after Sloan's retirement and Williams' trade to the New Jersey Nets. Quin Snyder was hired as head coach in June 2014. With the development of Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell into All-Stars, the Jazz launched themselves back into playoff contention.

2010 Utah Jazz

1975-2021 (47 seasons)

Utah Jazz Team History

All-time franchise record

2060-1726 (.544)

0 championships in 2 appearances

Franchise History

1980-2021

Utah Jazz (NBA)

1975-1979

New Orleans Jazz (NBA)

Top Seasons

Year Record Result

2021 52-20 Lost Conference Semifinals

1999 37-13 Lost Conference Semifinals

1998 62-20 Lost NBA Finals

1997 64-18 Lost NBA Finals

1995 60-22 Lost First Round

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Last 5 Seasons

Year Record Result

2021 52-20 Lost Conference Semifinals

2020 44-28 Lost First Round

2019 50-32 Lost First Round

2018 48-34 Lost Conference Semifinals

2017 51-31 Lost Conference Semifinals

View All Jazz Seasons

1st Round Draft Picks

Year Rd/Pick Player

2021 1 / 30 Santi Aldama PF/C

2020 1 / 27 Udoka Azubuike C

2019 1 / 23 Darius Bazley SF

2018 1 / 21 Grayson Allen SG

2017 1 / 24 Tyler Lydon PF

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Longest Serving GM's

Tenure Years General Manager

2000-12 13 Kevin O'Connor

1990-99 10 Scott Layden

1980-87 8 Frank Layden

2013-19 7 Dennis Lindsey

1975-76 2 Bill Bertka

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Team Owners

Tenure Years Owner

2021 1 Ryan Smith

2009-20 12 Larry H. Miller Group

1986-08 23 Larry H. Miller

1975-86 12 Sam Battistone

1975-82 8 Lee Schlesinger

1975-82 8 Larry Hatfield

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Related Content

Stories, Photos, Videos, Podcasts, and Publications featuring Utah Jazz History

F i l t e r & S o r t

Utah Jazz Media Guidepublication

Utah Jazz Media Guide

51 issues 1975-2025

This media guide is a comprehensive resource created by the team to provide detailed information about its players, coaches, history,...