Is a Donovan Mitchell trade in the cards? That’s what Utah Jazz fans will be asking themselves all offseason long after yet another playoff disappointment, this time at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks. There’s no question that Mitchell is a surefire All-Star caliber NBA player, and will continue to be just that for years to come. With that being said, Utah’s core has proven time and time again that they’re incapable of making a deep playoff run. Perhaps it’s time to switch course.
Three Donovan Mitchell Trade Ideas
Heading to Texas
Utah Jazz receive Devin Vassell, Lonnie Walker IV (via sign-and-trade), Doug McDermott, and the Spurs’ first-round pick.
San Antonio Spurs receive Donovan Mitchell.
Should Utah decide to trade Mitchell, they’ll be looking for young players to add. For starters, Vassell is a terrific shooter. He averaged 12 points per game last season at 21-years-old and looks to be a very promising “three-and-d” player. Walker IV is 23-years-old and also averaged 12 points per game. He has the potential to be an electrifying scorer. McDermott makes the salaries work, but remains a solid scorer. Finally, Utah gets a pick which should end up in the top 10 of the upcoming draft.
San Antonio gets another star here to pair with Dejounte Murray. Mitchell and Murray would wreak havoc together in the backcourt and could vault the Spurs back into the playoffs. Murray, Mitchell, Keldon Johnson, and others round out a very strong potential Spurs roster.
Four Team Blockbuster in this Donovan Mitchell Trade
Utah Jazz receive OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr, Rui Hachimura, and a Raptors’ protected future first-round pick.
Toronto Raptors receive Donovan Mitchell.
Washington Wizards receive Mike Conley and Ty Jerome.
Oklahoma City Thunder receive Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Plenty of movement here.
For starters, Utah receives two very high-quality role players. In fact, Anunoby and Trent Jr can be even better if given the ball more. Both players from Toronto are elite defenders and can score 20+ points on nearly any given night. They are definite starters. Hachimura didn’t progress as expected this year but played in a crowded Wizards frontcourt. More time in Utah can allow him to blossom.
Toronto acquires another star and Mitchell will pair well with Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, and Scottie Barnes. On paper, this will form the best team Mitchell has played with. That say’s a lot about the future for Toronto.
Washington needs a point guard, especially if they retain Bradley Beal. Conley is a solid veteran to add.
The Thunder get involved here knowing that they can flip Caldwell-Pope to contenders for future assets.
Three Team Blockbuster
Utah Jazz receive John Collins, Immanuel Quickley, and the Knicks’ first-round pick.
New York Knicks receive Donovan Mitchell.
Atlanta Hawks receive Julius Randle.
Utah boosts their frontcourt here getting a floor-stretcher in Collins. He’s also a very capable defender, which matches well with Rudy Gobert. Collins is also extremely athletic, so he can get to the rim in a variety of ways. To fill in a guard spot, the Jazz also acquire Quickley. He has the potential to become a very solid NBA scorer. Finally, they get the Knicks’ lottery pick.
New York finally gets a star in Mitchell. He can realistically play the point guard position in Madison Square Garden and pair up in the backcourt with RJ Barrett.
The Hawks rid themselves of Collins and replace him with Randle.
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