The Utah Jazz traded away one of their prize assets early in Free Agency when they accepted a trade package that would send Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowksi is reporting that the franchise is listening to offers for their other star, Donovan Mitchell, after previously dismissing any calls about his availability.
The Jazz's asking price for Mitchell will be similar to what they got for Rudy Gobert as he is their prized asset but there are a number of teams that would love to add a player of his talent, with the Miami Heat and New York Knicks rumored to be especially interested.
Utah GM Justin Zanik did not rule out a trade for Mitchell when asked about the possibility. "Change is inevitable in the NBA. 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 any player is (untouchable). We're trying to build a championship team, but there's no intent (to trade Mitchell), at all." - Via ESPN.
Mitchell will be 26 to begin the new season and has 4 years & $134.9m left on his contract so the ball is very much in Utah's court. However they have already traded away Rudy Gobert & Royce O'Neale this off-season. Two key players that brought back 5 first round draft picks between them. And replaced long-time head coach Quin Snyder, with 34 year old & first year head coach, Will Hardy.
The Jazz have made the playoffs in each of the last six seasons, the longest streak in the Western Conference, but have failed to get past the second round. They have already lost a longtime head coach & one of their team's cornerstone players in Gobert. The question for the franchise now is, do they believe Donovan Mitchell is their franchise cornerstone or do they trade him and go into full rebuild mode?
Mitchell has been an All-Star in each of the past three seasons, averaging 26 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists last season. However, the 6'1 guard has yet to make an All-NBA or All-Defensive team, in five seasons on a competitive team, despite improving year on year.
Can the Jazz really say with confidence they couldn't find a better player to lead their franchise into the future than Mitchell with his trade value arguably at a high-point? We shall see.
(Photo- Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)
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