NBA Hall of Famer John Stockton has voiced concern over the Utah Jazz’s current state, saying the team lacks a clear commitment to winning.
In an appearance on The Ultimate Assist podcast, Stockton was asked if he keeps up with the franchise he spent his entire 19-year career with. The all-time assists leader admitted he hasn’t followed them closely, but his assessment was blunt.
“I haven’t been tracking them. I know that there doesn’t seem to be a mission to win,” Stockton said, via Larry Brown Sports. “If that’s true, that’s frustrating, because I think that culture is so hard to come by. I knew how hard it was for the Utah Jazz to become a winning organization to begin with, and I came in on the tail end of that. I got to build from that with my teammates.”
Stockton’s remarks come after Utah’s 2024–25 season ended in historic disappointment. The Jazz finished with a league-worst 17–65 record, officially marking the franchise’s lowest win total. They were the last team in the NBA to earn a victory this season and were eliminated from playoff contention by March 10.
The struggles extended beyond the standings. Utah allowed 9,941 points across 82 games, averaging 121.2 points against per game, ranking among the 10 worst defensive seasons in NBA history. Their 60th loss, coming against the Charlotte Hornets, snapped the franchise’s distinction as the only team never to lose 60 or more games in a season.
The team’s front office has been reshaping the roster heading into the 2025–26 season. Utah added rookie forward Ace Bailey with the No. 5 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, along with fellow first-rounder Will Riley at No. 21. They also acquired veteran big man Jusuf Nurkic and forwards Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson through summer trades.
Despite those moves, Stockton’s comments highlight a perception that rebuilding efforts have lacked urgency. The Jazz have now missed the playoffs three consecutive years, their longest drought since the early 1980s.
Stockton, who led Utah to two NBA Finals appearances alongside Karl Malone, played in an era when the franchise was consistently competitive. His remarks suggest concern that the winning culture established during that period is fading.
