Focus on the NBA’s trade market is beginning to shift. After dominating headlines, the Brooklyn Nets and Kevin Durant shared the spotlight with the Utah Jazz and Donovan Mitchell. Neither name has been actually traded yet, though.
Mitchell hasn’t requested a trade as Durant did, but his name is popping up in a ton of trade rumors. The Jazz could very well be open to rebuilding after trading Royce O’Neale and Rudy Gobert earlier this offseason.
In exchange for both players, the Nets received five first-round draft picks, one draft pick swap and five players. They were deals made with an eye toward rebuilding, as the plan originally was to do that around Mitchell. However, they have begun listening to trade calls centered around Mitchell, which means a full teardown, rebuild could be on the horizon.
That has been the MO of Danny Ainge throughout his career. Whenever he joins a front office, he cleans house when it comes to the coaching staff and roster and that process is underway in Salt Lake City with Quin Snyder stepping down as head coach and two key contributors being traded already this offseason.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Denver Nuggets & Utah Jazz Updates
The market for Mitchell would probably be a robust one as he is 25 years old, is a three-time All-Star and has helped lead the Jazz to the postseason every season he has been in the NBA. While success in the playoffs hasn’t occurred, the Jazz has consistently been one of the best teams in the league with Mitchell on the roster.
One team that was looking to make a splash this offseason was the Denver Nuggets, who are looking to upgrade around two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. Mitchell would be quite an addition.
What would it take to land him? Let’s take a look at what a deal that lands Mitchell in The Mile High City could look like.