“Failed” Mitchell Trade Talks: Beneficial or Not
Last month, speculation that Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz could be on the move ran rampant through social media. Adding fuel to the fire was Utah’s decision to send Rudy Gorbert packing for Minnesota, which signalled a changing of the guard in Salt Lake City.
For the better part of the last month, pundits believed it was only a matter of time until a Donovan Mitchell trade materialized. At the same time however, league insiders also believed it could be difficult for the Jazz to move the three-time NBA All-Star given the massive haul they received for Gobert from the T-Wolves.
And then Utah suddenly clarified: They never wanted to trade Donovan Mitchell.
Stalled Talks
It came as no surprise to many that Donovan Mitchell hadn’t been traded despite averaging 25.9 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.2 rebounds during the 2021-2022 regular season.
While Utah’s hefty asking price is one reason Mitchell is still in Utah, another factor that can’t be overlooked is Mitchell’s lack of postseason success in the five years he’s been with the franchise.
Sure, Mitchell was a part of the 2018 NBA All-Rookie First Team and won the 2018 NBA Slam Dunk Contest but that’s about the extent of his hardware at the NBA level. He may have helped lead the Jazz to the best record during the 2020-2021 that gave Utah home court advantage in the playoffs for the first time since the 1997-1998 campaign. But that top seed did little for the club’s dismal playoff track record as the Jazz still lost in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Clippers.
So while the New York Knicks have done little to hide their interest in Mitchell and boast the assets required to make a deal happen, they haven’t moved a muscle.
The Benefits
Many believe Donovan Mitchell staying in Utah is the best way to go for both the Jazz and Mitchell alike when all is said and done. Why?
For one, Donovan Mitchell can now lead the Jazz as the unquestioned franchise player. And for another, Mitchell can use this opportunity to prove to everyone he can bring the Jazz to the next level, especially during the playoffs.
Should the Jazz want to rebuild via the draft, retaining Donovan Mitchell for the time being is the right move for Utah because if they can trade him for a higher draft pick next year, it could give Utah a promising young star to build around.
One thing is certain: with the right supporting cast and a healthy Mitchell, the Utah Jazz could still push for the playoffs during the 2022-2023 season and possibly beyond.
The Other Side
While many think Donovan Mitchell staying in Utah may ultimately benefit the team, the fact that he’s been headlining trade rumours could have a negative effect not just on the player but also on the chemistry of the squad moving forward.
Considering the fact that the Utah front office announced after the Rudy Gobert trade that they would listen to any trade offers for any player on their squad, including Mitchell, it creates a possibility for tension inside the locker room.
What’s important for the Jazz front office to settle on ahead of opening night is the direction of the team this fall. It’s either they play the tanking game to get a better position for next year’s draft, or work together with Mitchell on board to push for another postseason run.
Bottom out, or retool on the fly. The last thing fans in Salt Lake City want to see is a mediocre on-court product that misses out on the postseason, but winds up with a crummy lottery pick in 2023.
-Iggy Gonzales
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