The Utah Jazz are engaged in low-pressure trade talks to move Donovan Mitchell. The star is yet to formally request a trade, but the Jazz have made it clear that they are heading towards a rebuild and the franchise might be better with more draft picks instead of a lone star.
The Charlotte Hornets have emerged as a potential suitor for the three-time All-Star. LaMelo Ball appears to be the real deal, and it looked like the Hornets had a sure thing going with their dynamic duo of Ball and Miles Bridges. Bridges is now facing domestic violence charges that could come with some very real prison time, so it looks like the Hornets need a new star to pair with the youngest sensation in the league.
Ball is a high-volume scorer who is a touch more efficient than Mitchell, but he seems to be open to the idea of being a pass-first point guard. This would complement Mitchell quite well, as he has never really played with an elite facilitator.
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With Mitchell, the Hornets would still be a piece away from real contention, but it would allow them to pick up where they left off after Bridges is put away.
The Hornets would have to give up quite the package to get him. Between Kai Jones and James Bouknight, the Hornets have a few enticing young pieces the Jazz may want. Since Clarkson, Beasley, and Jared Butler all play shooting guard and the Jazz are without a center of the future, I would rather take Jones.
The Hornets would also have to give up substantial draft capital. Ainge apparently wants six picks, which seems high. The Hornets are still building, so I’m not sure they would want to mortgage their entire future to get Mitchell, hence only four picks coming back. In addition to that, Kai Jones was a projected lottery pick who is yet to prove himself.
If the options are this deal with the Hornets or nothing, I honestly would like them to make this trade. Jones could be the answer to current roster issues, and the haul of picks is less than ideal but still substantial.