The Jazz have made all kinds of noise over the past week.
They got a huge haul for All-Star center Rudy Gobert from the Timberwolves, as they will receive Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, 2022 first-round pick Walker Kessler, four future first-rounders, and a pick swap once the deal becomes official. Three of those first-round picks are unprotected.
They also acquired a first-round pick from the Nets in exchange for wing starter Royce O’Neale,
Utah’s front office now has to answer one lingering question — should it trade All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell and go into full rebuild mode, or quickly retool around Mitchell?
Several NBA experts, including ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, say the Jazz are taking the latter approach and have resisted inquiries regarding Mitchell. Other NBA insiders and executives believe Mitchell is available for the right price.
Things can change in a hurry regarding front office approaches or player trade requests, as we’ve seen in the Kevin Durant saga. The Jazz’s long-range future is certainly brighter with those extra picks at their disposal, along with Gobert’s contract coming off their books.
If they choose to deal Mitchell, they can expect a similar – and perhaps even bigger – package from the highest bidder. Mitchell is locked up contractually through the 2025/26 season and there aren’t many players out there who consistently produce 25 points and five assists a game.
On the flip side, those additional assets now provide the ammo for other bold moves designed to get more quality players around Mitchell, who never seemed to truly mesh with Gobert on or off the court.
That brings us to our question of the day: Should the Jazz trade Donovan Mitchell and enter a total rebuild? Or should they focus on retooling quickly around Mitchell?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
Trade. It’s not like they’re going to pass GSW, Phoenix, etc.
agreed, they could probably put a contender back on the court but they would still be taking a step back if they retool
Exactly. If Mitchell is dealt, the time they complete rebuilding will be around the time of the downfall of the Warriors, although other teams like the Mavericks may be strong competitors.
I think it depends on how Weissman, Moody, and Kuminga develop because if those guys develop and take over it will be a long time before the Warriors downfall
They’ve got to start with something so keep him.
Maybe in 2022 they won’t be in win-now mode but trading him would leave them with Conley, Clarkson and a year of Bogdanovic and not much experience otherwise. That sounds like full on tanking.
I vote they trade Mitchell for the best return possible they can get now. If your starting lineup is gonna be Conley, Mitchell, Bojan, Vanderbilt and Kessler, I can’t see that winning that many games. This especially since a bench of Bev, Clarkson, Beasley, Rudy Gay, Azubuike, Bolmaro, NAW is not a very good bench imo. If you can trade Mitchell for more promising younger players and picks, I’d do it. I’d also try to trade Conley, Beverley, Beasley, and Bogdanovic, but that’s just me.
Fully rebuild is a long long process. Current odd to win #1 pick is 14%
Rockets are the worst team for 2 consecutive years. They got Green and Smith
Rank the duo
Garland and Allen
Sexton and Mobley
Green and Smith
It would take 7 years for Rockets to make playoffs, imo
If the worst team gets #1 pick，rebuild is the best path
The Cavaliers went through a major rebuild after LeBron James left, although holding onto Kevin Love may not be recognized as a full-scale rebuild.
They did not make the playoffs but there future is bright.
Cavs are in the East
As I said one month ago, it would take 5 years for a rebuild team to make playoffs in East and 7 years in West.
Jazz are in West
Account for us forgetting your insights.
Fairly quickly
Lol anyone would think Sillyvan don’t like the Rockets.
I kind of don’t mind the whole retooling thing some teams are doing, but I don’t think Mitchell is a guy worthy of that. Great player, but he’s a huge liability as a defender and isn’t a true playmaker. Even if you adjust the pieces around him and put together a nice roster, would that be enough to transform them into a true contender? I doubt it. The Jazz would have to hit homeruns on every pitch.
Lillard is a similar case, although he is the better player. But he’s also a lot older than Mitchell. Does the former ironman stay healthy as he ages or was last season a sign of things to come?
Yes
No
Yes
No
Ok now I see your point, I agree with you
I’d say they should trade DMitch. Only issue is I don’t see a ton of teams that can offer anything compelling.
If rj is off limits Knicks don’t have anything to leas a deal for dom
Getting the right primary player makes all the difference in the world. Imagine the Spurs without Tim Duncan. Their success and team culture would be so different over the past 25 years. It affects them still to this day! I imagine Curry will have that same affect after he retires along with what he’s already done.
The great thing about Donovan Mitchell is he does so many nice things for people outside the game. He’s also a big influence on the team’s temperament. That’s why Gobert and him clashed.
Gobert is a nice, happy guy, but he tends to be too serious at times. I do think that helps you be a better player, but not if the team is more lively and free, like Donovan.
This past year was a big drama fest surrounding the team. That’s why I think Donovan tends to travel a lot in the off-season. He has needed that recharge of life. Now that Gobert isn’t here he might not need that as much. However, if they keep Beverly then he might be that same type of personality. Might be best to trade him for someone more fun and free?
Overall, I don’t mind a retool. The Jazz just need to build a symbiotic culture that matches Donovan’s personality. That could be partly what they mean when they say they’re going to build around him. In order for that to work the Jazz would need to decide on a few things:
Which current players fit Donovan’s culture he brings?
Which of those players fit needs they have, positionally?
Which of those players can be traded for an upgrade? Which can’t?
Sometimes players are on a roster because they ran out of time to make a move. That could happen with some of these guys.
However, I’d like to think the Jazz are holding onto guys because they fit and are the best option for now. If not, then makes no sense to hold onto them for too much longer. Would be fun to know what trades they’ve already turned down?
I expect the Jazz are doing a retool unless some ridiculous offer comes across for Donovan. Although, that offer would need to happen pretty soon before the Jazz start making more trades and they’re committed to the this current culture. If they do get that offer then they’ll need to find that culture setting, primary player through a proper rebuild.
Depends on what Mitchell’s wishes are.
I would like to see a runback without Gobert. Probably won’t work as well, Oh well. Fans wanted change.
Beasley and Clarkson are redundant; one should gat something in trade. A true 4 like Vanderbilt will be needed with the rookie center, and Whiteside should be retained. Beverly too since Conley wears down. Bojan can spruce his numbers playing some 3.
But whatever else, don’t make Spida the PG. Conley is terrific, and nobody will want his contract anyway.
It’s tough, you have someone as talented as Mitchell who is still young, ofcourse you should build around him.
But that said what’s your target, making the playoffs consistently or winning a title?
By trading Gobert for a bunch of role players and picks it’s showing that your target is winning a title cause you already were a consistent playoff side. That said then without giving up Mitchell do you have enough pieces to build around him and make a title contender?
I don’t think so. You have an established winning side in GSW, 3 solid young playoff teams on the rise in Memphis, Denver and Dallas. The Lakers if they get Kyrie will be huge. Maybe it is better to just sell Donovan now and load up on picks and stuff, move the timeline back.
Then I guess it about looking at what packages you can get in this market. DeJounte Murray got the Spurs 3 firsts and 2 swaps I believe. Rudy Gobert just got you 3 starters and what 4 firsts?
But you have to compete with KD on the market.
My suggestion would be move hard and fast early. Donovan Mitchell for RJ Barrett, Evan Fouriner, Cam Reddish and 4 firsts and 2 swaps.
Knicks will be keen to get Spida and he will be keen to head home to New York. In return you get two solid young players and a bunch of picks.
From there, it’s about dealing the left over players you have for more first round picks if you can.
Mike Conley, Bogdan, Fouriner, Beverly, Clarkson and Beasley should all be up for grabs.
From Gobert and Mitchell you’ll have about 8 picks and 3 swaps, ONeale gave you another first, then from these vets you’ll get another 3 or so.
12 first and a couple swaps, RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish, Vanderbilt, NAW, Bolmaro and Kessler.
I actually think the Jazz might be pretty good this year. They got some nice pieces from the Twolves and Gobert is such a liability on offense. Someone else can set screens.
If Jazz can get Ayton in a s/t, sending like 3 picks and Bogdanovic, they will have Mitchell and Ayton surrounded by defensive players like Beverley and Vanderbilt – that team, armed with additional picks to trade can be better, younger and more financially flexible for sure.
Land Ayton if you can sure.
I watch the Media fondle all-over whether or not Donovan Mitchell should “Demand” to be traded. It’s got to be so tuff being 25 years old, currently with the only team you have ever known #family, you have huge amounts of eyes watching to see what Ainge might do!? That’s a lot of stress. 4 years ago, I’m sure Gordon Hayward felt like this! How could he not?? It’s different where Hayward was a free agent and Donovan is under contract. But it’s similar pressure! Gordon Hayward did what was best for him and us! He got the “Old Coach” Brad Stevens, the Big Stage in Boston and variety/shake it up! The Jazz got the runway clear and Allowed SOMEONE to step up! Donovan would never be this good if we had Hayward being our all-star. I’m sorry for the Ramble!
I think that the Front office of the Jazz have been extremely direct, clear and consistent the entire process with Donovan. I’m sure D-Wade is always willing to chat, give advice or even just run through everything. Making sure that Donovan is 100% understood, hearing his opinion, allowing for zero confusion regardless of the outcome. If Jazz trade Mitchell, he’s gonna be going big, to a massive franchise and wide fan base, possibly where his hometown?!
And the Jazz, you just hit the mother load of all picks for the draft!! Plus young talent! And even if you get “only” what Gobert brought in?!
JACKPOT!
And if they Jazz/Mitchell “Retool” then buckle up! New Coach will be playing his way, he said Faster! This could be a very fun team to watch!
Not enough buyers with good packages to offer, especially with KD on the market as well. Keep Mitchell until next offseason when there should be more teams looking to go for it and fewer other superstars on the trade market.
Or, because the players are pretty much guaranteed to move, see it as an opportunity for a multi-team deal.
I agree rebuild might be the option, but just draft capital might not be enough.
Mitchell is fairly young and a really good player. If they go rebuild and deal him they need a young prospect back with high upside along with picks to justify losing him instead of only banking on lottery luck for the next few years. Maybe even just go all in on one of the higher ranked guys from the last 3 drafts, they got plenty of picks for Rudy and if they like anyone enough Mitchel could get it done.
Bad idea just example of level of return ”Kumminga and Poole for Mitchell”. Just something to keep Jazz fans optimistic and giving them a head start.
TRADE – his value can only go down and there is nothing that suggests he is an elite player who can lead a franchise to a championship.
He _vould be_ that player and _you don’t know_ whether he’s value gonna drop. Saying that, trade for a good package.
Mitchell is a dynamic scorer, but not a superstar. I don’t see how a team could give up a PG13/Harden like package for him. Then again, they got 75% of that for Gobert, and I would think, for most teams, Mitchell would be worth more.
Would the Jazz do OG, Trent, and a few 1sts for Mitchell and Gay?
Pieces under contract they could easily flip them too if they wanted for additional assets.
Knicks package would be pick centric not younger talent.
Heat would be Lowry and Herro.
Nets could offer picks and players via a convoluted 4 team deal that moves Ben Simmons and Kyrie. Would be the only way KD would agree to stay tbh.
Maybe the Thunder say this is the guy we use some draft capital on? Mitchell and SGA and Chet.