So often during a long NBA season, at least one team will get off to a hot start and have fans drinking the Kool-Aid while proclaiming that team a new contender, only for that team to cool off and return to the pack.
For these two squads, it is increasingly looking like what they did in October and November was nothing more than fool’s gold.
Utah Jazz
After trading All-Stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell over the summer, it looked like the Jazz would be engaged in a race to the bottom to see who would get the right to draft Victor Wembanyama next June.
Instead, they rocketed off to a 10-3 start while lighting up the scoreboard with three 130-point games during that span.
Now, the Jazz are singing a different tune, as they have lost 14 of their last 22 games.
Although they still sit in eighth place in the Western Conference with an 18-16 record, it is looking more likely they will end up losing in the play-in tournament come April.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers started this season 12-8, as they have gotten improved play from center Myles Turner and guard Tyrese Haliburton, not to mention some unexpected contributions from rookie Bennedict Mathurin.
But they have dropped eight of their last 11 games, and they have fallen to ninth place in the Eastern Conference after sitting in the fourth spot late in November.
As a result, the trade rumors surrounding Turner and guard Buddy Hield have been reignited.
This trade scenario has been rumored for a while now. Do any #Pacers fans like this ===> Indiana Pacers Receive: Russell Westbrook, 2027 First Round Pick, 2029 First Round Pick; Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Myles Turner, Buddy Hield. #WhatSayYou?
— M.J. Kleinhenz (@HoosierDaddio) December 20, 2022
Will the Pacers look to remain competitive, re-sign Turner this summer and build around what they have, or will they hit the reset button while rebuilding only around Haliburton and Mathurin?
