Salt City Hoops Utah Jazz Podcast

Dan Clayton

4.7 (44)
Basketball
Updated Weekly

Salt City Hoops launched in 2009 to cover the Utah Jazz. On this podcast, Managing Editor Dan Clayton and other SCH talent and special guests will break down all things Jazz.

1d ago

Utah Jazz Salary Cap 101

The big offseason for the Utah Jazz is right around the corner! The Jazz will have much, much bigger expectations to compete next year, but there are salary cap rules on how they can shape their roster. Decisions on Walker Kessler and Keyonte George could also have huge financial ramifications down the line. What is the Mid-Level Exception? What is the First Apron? Why won't we pay the luxury tax this year, but will probably have no problem paying it next year? Mark Russell Pereira (Bluesky: @jazzmanmark.com) walks you through a very introductory examination of the Jazz salary cap sheet going into the offseason so you are well-prepared to know how the Jazz can even make (or not make) player acquisitions to shore up the rotation. Then, we use the Free Agency Simulator on saltcityhoops.com (which you can use too!), created by the wizard Zarin Ficklin (@zarin on Bluesky, @zarinf on twitter) to game out the decisions this summer and play with different options. Finally, Mark goes waaaaay deep and shows how a bunch of different extension and free agency options for the Jazz this summer could hurl them into the dreaded first and second aprons as early as 2027! These are danger zones that Utah might have to tolerate if they are to be competitive. All of these questions answered, and way more, for Salt City Hoops! #utah #utahjazz #basketball #nba #acebailey #ajdybantsa #darrynpeterson #keyontegeorge #walkerkessler #laurimarkkanen #cameronboozer #calebwilson #jarenjacksonjr

1h 11m
5d ago

The Most Important Utah Jazz Draft, Ever

It's finally time for a special Salt City Hoops NBA Draft preview! All signs point to a truly special top 4 NBA Draft class between AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, and Caleb Wilson, and the Utah Jazz are in a terrific spot at the no. 2 selection. While the talent is clear, the Jazz are under enormous pressure to get this very specific pick very, very right. Mark Russell Pereira (@jazzmanmark.com on Bluesky) explains why exactly this draft pick is so important given Utah's timeline and immediate path to competitiveness. Then, Mark goes into best and worst case scenarios for each prospect. Who does Mark think Utah should draft without hesitation, and how do the prospects rank among each other? Tune in and subscribe to find out! More offseason content coming all summer long for Salt City Hoops. #ajdybantsa #darrynpeterson #cameronboozer #calebwilson #acebailey #utahjazz #basketball #nba #nbadraft

1h 12m
Jun 1

The Utah Jazz vs. the Elite! + Lottery Reform, Finally

The Spurs and Thunder just finished a battle of incredible titans in the Western Conference Finals, and Victor Wembanyama looked absolutely terrifying. Can the Jazz compete in any sense against these incredible teams next year? Do they have any advantages? What are their worst disadvantages? Mark Russell Pereira (@jazzmanmark.com) is joined by Riley Gisseman (@rgiss on X & Bluesky) to break down Utah's position vs. the elite of the NBA. Then, lottery reform finally passed! What are the new rules, and do we like or hate them? The NBA also leaked that a 'credit' system may be coming in a few years, which felt incredibly close to Riley's Chip/Token system that he's worked on for a couple years. What is this credit system, and how will it favor well-managed teams?

1h 30m
May 26

Emptying Out the Utah Jazz Rumor Dumpster

While the 2026 NBA Playoffs are in full, exciting swing, idle thoughts about the Jazz have turned into annoying rumors and rage-baiting nonsense. Mark Russell Pereira (jazzmanmark.com) takes some time to walk through some of the more pervasive and ridiculous rumors out there, so that we have a clean slate to fairly analyze Utah's upcoming offseason in subsequent episodes.

1h 10m
May 11

The Jazz Win #2 in the NBA Draft Lottery!

The Jazz did it! They actually did it! For the first time in franchise history, the Utah Jazz moved up in the NBA Draft Lottery with their own pick and were selected to draft 2nd in next month's draft! This couldn't have come at a more perfect time, as this year's draft class looks truly special and deep, while the Jazz are just beginning their ascent to the NBA title contender class. Who is going to be available for Utah at No. 2? Are there trade up or down possibilities? Join Mark Russell Pereira (@jazzmanmark.com) and Justin Sweeney as they take us through all of the emotions and expectations of a seminal day in Jazz history!

1h 22m
May 5

Can the Utah Jazz Beat this Year's NBA Playoff Teams?

The first round of the NBA Playoffs is in the books! A wild first round exposed many deficiencies from winning and losing sides, and highlighted the real strengths of the teams who reliably make it to the second round of the playoffs. Utah's roster has way more talent as they are primed for a playoff appearance, but what else do they need to be an actual, competitive threat? Mark Russell Pereira (https://bsky.app/profile/jazzmanmark.com) breaks it all down, with a surprise live reaction to the last minute of a thrilling Wolves - Spurs Game 1! #nba #nbaplayoffs #acebailey #utahjazz #basketball #podcast

1h 14m
Apr 28

Roster Grades for the 2025-26 Utah Jazz!

The final exams have been turned in for the 2025-2026 Utah Jazz! Join Dan Clayton (@danclayt0n) and Mark Russell Pereira (@jazzmanmark.com) as they assign letter grades to every major contributor on the roster who finished their season in Salt Lake City. Who turned in a stellar season with high marks? Who missed the mark in areas they needed to improve? Tune in for Salt City Hoops!

1h 31m
Apr 21

Jazz Exit Interview Sentiments + Coin Flip MANIA

As the NBA Playoffs commence, the Utah Jazz are forced to finally and completely turn the page on the 2025-2026 season with a collection of player and coach exit interviews and sentimental Instagram posts. What did these players say about the season that was, and, most importantly, what are their feelings about what's in store next year? Join Mark Russell Pereira (@jazzmanmark.com) as he pulls the best quotes and reactions from the media availability and surmises about the future for pending free agents Kevin Love and Jusuf Nurkic. Then, the Jazz win the coin flip with the Sacramento Kings! What does this mean for Utah's pick in the upcoming NBA Draft?

1h 8m

See All (124)

4.7

out of 5

44 Ratings

Jazz with Pizzazz

Jan 17

AJ493

Love the podcast! Entertaining and talks about real basketball not drama headlines. The hosts are clearly real fans of the game and team!
Smart Jazz Talk from a true fan

Jan 15

Saphaeren

The Salt City Hoops Utah Jazz Podcast offers sharp, thoughtful analysis from the perspective of a knowledgeable fan rather than a detached sports writer, which gives the conversations an authentic and relatable feel. The host blends analytics, roster insight, and long-term team context without hot takes or manufactured drama. It’s informed, honest, and clearly driven by genuine love for the Jazz—making it a great listen for fans who want substance without the media spin.
It’s nice

11/27/2025

The Lynx

Sure, the show may not come out on any sort of consistent schedule.. But when it does, it’s like a little surprise treat! Such a refreshing point of view discussing the Jazz. Looks at things realistically, but without being super negative and screaming the whole time. Definitely appreciate this perspective! 5-stars! Keep up the good vibes.
Andy Rox

02/22/2019

Klovelove

Andy is a great Jazz voice

Salt City Hoops launched in 2009 to cover the Utah Jazz. On this podcast, Managing Editor Dan Clayton and other SCH talent and special guests will break down all things Jazz.