Little did we know, the trade unleashed the beast that is two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. The Frenchman completely changed the teams fortunes. From a 19-34 record at the time of the trade, the Jazz closed the season on a 19-10 run. With Gobert manning the middle the Jazz made their name on defence.

The last few playoffs, however, have shown the fatal flaw in the Jazz's model. In losing to the James Harden led Houston Rockets in the past two seasons and the Warriors juggernaut the season prior, the Jazz were able to contain those two deluxe units in the half court, but were completely incapable of applying scoreboard pressure of their own.

Their expected offensive leaders were either too young (Donovan Mitchell) or a second option masquerading as a first (Gordon Hayward). Against the NBA elite that just didn't pass muster.

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This off season, the Jazz have made somewhat of a philosophical switch. They've traded away some of their defensive fortitude, for offensive creativity.

First came the trade with Memphis for perennially underrated lead guard Mike Conley. Turning 32 last Friday (Happy Birthday, Mike), the veteran appears to be a perfect fit for what Jazz GM Justin Zanik wants: a creative offensive player to allow Mitchell some room to grow, whilst losing very little on the defensive end.

It can't be overstated how much of an upgrade this is for the Jazz. Despite the outgoing Ricky Rubio's delightful passing & equally delightful beard, Conley gives the Jazz a third potential all-star; a player adept in creating late clock shots for himself & others.

The Jazz also released long time stalwart and club captain Derrick Favors. The defence with he and Gobert on the floor was borderline impenetrable, but Favors lack of shooting clogged the offence. Enter former Pacers sharp-shooter Bojan Bogdanovic, signed as a free agent for $73 million over 4 years.

Bogdanovic can really fill it up. He carried a Victor Oladipo-less Pacers team to 48 wins, scoring 18 points per game on a scorching 42.5% from deep. His ability to stretch the floor opens up so much potential for Utah.

He draws bodies from the paint, allowing Gobert to continue his ascent into an elite roll man. He creates driving lanes for Mitchell and Joe Ingles that were not there last playoffs. A unit of Conley-Mitchell-Ingles-Bogdanovic-Gobert is a frightening 'pick your poison' proposition for opposing defences.

It will be interesting to see what coach Quin Snyder does with the talent at his disposal. His sides have ran some of the most intricate offensive sets in the NBA in recent years, in large part to pry open gaps that his troops just didn't have the ability to create for themselves.

Will Snyder loosen the reigns a little? If he doesn't, does that stifle Conley, Bogdanovic and Mitchell's ability to keep the defence on it's heels?

Resetting the starting unit only tells half a story, though.

The Jazz snapped up back up bigs Ed Davis & Jeff Green, who are both very solid defensively & capable on offence. Green in particular is an intriguing signing. The former fifth pick from 2007 has flattered to deceive over his career, offering tantalising flashes of brilliance scattered across a journeyman's resume.

He will have his standard six to eight games that make you say 'Whoa! I forgot how good Jeff Green is!', before again becoming a wallflower for a fortnight. Utah are hoping for one or two of those explosions come play-off time.

The Jazz also signed another former high draft pick in Emmanuel Mudiay (seventh overall in 2015). A wrecking ball of an athlete, Mudiay has never really shown that he has the basketball IQ to harness his physical gifts.

However, Coach Snyder and his assistants have demonstrated a remarkable ability to develop guards and wings over the past few years. A backup guard/wing rotation of Mudiay, the much improved Royce O'Neal & dry pasta for ligaments Aussie Dante Exum gives this Utah squad enviable depth.

The $64k question is this: has this off season made the Utah Jazz a genuine contender?

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In the immediate aftermath of the Conley trade, the response from NBA media types was 'Yes!', but there was an almost instant backlash to that. Conley is good but not an All-NBA type.

The West is loaded. The Lakers will stock up on talent (nobody foresaw the Clippers off season acquisitions at that stage). The Rockets will improve. Curry is out for revenge.

All of these things are true, but there are caveats. Conley is playing in a historic period for Point Guards. In most eras, he'd be a multiple time all star....if he'd played his career in the Eastern Conference he'd be a multiple time All-Star! The West is loaded, but the Lakers have their own issues; the Cippers will treat Kawhi Leonard & Paul George with kid gloves; the Rockets & Warriors have to integrate some major new pieces.

PLUS...

Can the Lakers transform vibe to victory?

From every corner, be it incumbent superstar LeBron James, incoming New Hope Anthony Davis, new coach Frank Vogel, or General Manager Rob Pelinka, the Los Angeles Lakers are emitting positive vibes. Just like last year.

Alongside the Nuggets, Utah has perhaps the most continuity in respect to their main players. Home court in the Western Conference is vital. The Jazz will fancy themselves to finish top three.

Some food for thought. There is a common trope in the NBA that to be truly elite, a team needs to have close to a top five offence and defence. Last season, The Jazz's defence ranked first in points conceded per 100 possessions, against 16th for points scored. Should this offence/defence trade off give the Jazz just two more points per game whilst conceding two more – just one measly layup - where would the Jazz finish?

Defensively the Jazz would finish fifth, maintaining that excellent defensive record. Offensively? They would jump to seventh. Those numbers in and of themselves, validate the Jazz's changes.

It's time to #takenote, NBA. For the first time since Stockton to Malone pick and rolls, the Utah Jazz are in prime position to launch their bid for an inaugural NBA title.