Donovan Mitchell On The Move?
The Utah Jazz at first shut down the possibilities of trading All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, but things have changed. Now the Jazz are listening to possible trade scenarios from rival…
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – APRIL 28: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action during the second half of Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 28, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz at first shut down the possibilities of trading All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, but things have changed. Now the Jazz are listening to possible trade scenarios from rival teams.
After they traded away Rudy Gobert there were rumblings that Mitchell would be available but Jazz shut those rumors down. The initial thought was that the Jazz would build around Mitchell. In the wake of the Gobert, trade things have changed.
Jazz general manager Justin Zanik put out there that Mitchell in not untouchable on the roster.
“I’m not trying to be cryptic or anything else, but Donovan is on our roster and he’s a very, very important part of what we’re trying to do. Things evolve in the NBA, so I couldn’t sit here and say anybody is [untouchable]. We’re trying to build a championship team, but there’s no intent [to trade Mitchell], at all. Said Zanik.
Mitchell has been in the league for five years and has been an All-Star for the past three seasons. He has four years and $134.9 million left on the max extension he signed back in 2020. He will have a player option in his final season for $37.1 million.
Utah has been to the playoffs the past six seasons making it the longest streak in the western conference. The only thing about the organization is that they have not made it past the second round during their playoff streak. Before the Gobert trade, the organization was already going through changes. They traded away their best perimeter defender in Royce O’Neale and Quinn Snyder stepped down as head coach.
According to Shams Charania and Tony Jones of the Athletic the New York Knicks is the team that is in pursuit of Mitchell. The Jazz is said to be looking for draft picks more than players. If that is so then the Knicks can offer a good amount of draft picks as they have four themselves and four from other teams they can offer.
Mitchell does work out in the offseason in NYC and he is from New York so coming back home. Mitchell has averaged 23.9 points and 4.5 assists in his five-year career.
