Overview
- Both veteran big men enter unrestricted free agency and say they want to come back to Utah.
- Kevin Love, finishing his 18th season, praised his first year in Salt Lake City during exit interviews and said he can still help as a mentor and role player.
- Jusuf Nurkic missed the stretch run after nose surgery in February but put up 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 41 games, including three straight triple-doubles.
- Utah went 22-60 after major frontcourt injuries to Walker Kessler and Jaren Jackson Jr., which pushed late-season minutes to Love, rookie Kyle Filipowski, and Oscar Tshiebwe.
- The front office now weighs bringing back experienced centers against a youth-first approach, with a lottery pick and cap decisions set to shape the 2026-27 push.