Ryan Smith understands how Utah Jazz fans are feeling right now. At least to a degree.
Apathy quickly set in Monday night for many longtime fans of the franchise, in the aftermath of the draft order for the 2025 NBA draft being decided.
After finishing with the worst record in the NBA in the 2024-25 season, the Jazz received the worst possible pick (No. 5) the franchise could have landed, by rule.
It was even worse than just that, though.
Not only did the Jazz drop to No. 5 in the draft order, the Dallas Mavericks landed the No. 1 pick (after having only a 1.8% chance to do so), the San Antonio Spurs snagged the No. 2 pick, the Philadelphia 76ers nabbed the No. 3 pick and the Charlotte Hornets got the No. 4 pick.
That sequence of teams and picks, when considered as a whole, was much more improbable than just Dallas receiving the No. 1 pick. There was a 1 in 46,593 chance that order would happen.
Combine it all together and Jazz fans were feeling anger, frustration, even despair. Emotions ran the gamut for Smith, too.
In a post on X early Tuesday morning, Smith, a co-owner of the Jazz, admitted to feeling disappointed by the results of the draft lottery.
“Woke up frustrated,” Smith wrote. “Went for a run. Audibly screamed.”
Smith didn’t remain frustrated, though. The Jazz’s governor proceeded to try to inspire the fanbase with the remainder of his post. Smith tried to remind fans that the draft and draft position isn’t the be-all and end-all.
“Sun peeked over our mountains. Ran into a fellow disappointed Jazz fan. Remembered THIS IS UTAH,” Smith wrote. “So…… Getting back on the horse. With the best fans in the league. Because it’s what we do here. Goal doesn’t change.”
Some fans responded reasonably well to Smith’s plea.
Most of yall don’t like him. But this you should appreciate. Most owners stay silent. He shows he cares and I’m here for it. Even if I disagree https://t.co/BU6jueJ6Kq
— Steady (@UT01226) May 13, 2025
This is great. I want Ryan mad.
I am also happy that he will think through this, and not emotionally react.
I really trust this guy. https://t.co/I1hQjg5PyZ
— jazz vs everyone (@jazz_n8) May 13, 2025
But for many fans, Monday night’s events were a bridge too far and maybe even the end of their Jazz (and greater NBA) fandom.
A decent portion of the crowd cried conspiracy. In other words, they think the NBA rigged the draft order to benefit teams it values more than Utah (and, to a lesser extent, Washington).
I’m out. This league is rigged. Canceled my league pass last night. Good luck, Ryan. I wish you nothing but the best. I’m gonna spend my money and energy on college sports and the NFL.
— Nate Kennedy (@n8rix) May 13, 2025
Already cancelled my @nba TV subscription for next year. NBA is a joke #tusksup
— Space Coug (@byufan1984) May 13, 2025
Others suggested that Smith should sell the Jazz, let the team leave Utah and focus solely on the Utah Mammoth.
Still others think the team should be sold and then a Major League Baseball team should be brought in as a replacement.
Sell the team and dump it all into RSL, Mammoth, and an MLB team. NBA as a league will never respect Utah and don’t want us to succeed. No other league in the world of sports would treat Utah the way the NBA has so why give them our money?
— Dal (@TheBigDal6) May 13, 2025
Another segment of Jazz fans bemoaned the strategy to tank and rebuild the Jazz in the first place, longing for the days of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert and regular playoff participation by the franchise.
You and Danny blew up a team that had the best record in the NBA . When you trade a star you almost never get back equal value. Donovan is playing better than he ever has. You allowed this to happen.
— Steelers Fan ✌️ (@khart1968) May 13, 2025
If only we had a star player to build around like Donovan Mitchell
— Real Solid Dev (@RealSolidSports) May 13, 2025
Ultimately, the Jazz will continue on. According to Forbes, the team is (as of October 2024) worth $3.55 billion. By way of comparison, Utah’s NHL team is worth approximately $1.2 billion, per CNBC.
Which is to say, the franchise is a longstanding institution in the state of Utah and it doesn’t appear that Smith is near ready to give up on that, nor on building a championship contender in Salt Lake City, even if it takes longer — a lot longer — than much of the fanbase hoped.
Following the results of the draft lottery, one longtime Jazz fan posted on X that after 45 years of fandom, they were finished. With the team, with the NBA, all of it.
Smith responded directly to that post, with a message of hope.
“I get it,” he wrote. “Hang in there man … It’s just gonna make winning it that much sweeter. We will regroup and rise.”