Utah Jazz: Reacting to two Bleacher Report mock trades

Ever since the Utah Jazz fell to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs, it’s seemed inevitable that there would be plenty of changes in Salt Lake City this off-season. The team would then trade Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a handful of players and a kings ransom of draft picks, and ever since that point, there’s been rumours surrounding all of Utah’s best players, including 2018 first-round draft pick and All-Star scorer, Donovan Mitchell.

Since that, the rumours have been swirling, with the New York Knicks considered a heavy favourite to land the home-town kid, and even if Jazz fans hate the idea, the return is going to be great for the future of this organization. Bleacher Report have tried their hand at a mock trade that would send Mitchell home, and while it may not be the haul that Danny Ainge wants, it’s a fairly good one for both sides.

It seems that Danny Ainge is intent on taking at least six first round picks from the Knicks, as well as their two top rated young players in Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin, but at the end of the day, this might be the trade that gets it done for the Knicks.

On top of that, Bleacher Report have also looked at a secondary trade, that would allow two other Jazz veterans an opportunity to thrive, while allowing Utah to add more first-round picks (which would give them a historic haul of picks in one off-season), as well as shedding more and more salary, which will help them as they look to build this new team from scratch.

Although neither trade feels like a flat out win for the Jazz, this one feels a little more unfair, as the Lakers are getting two veteran starters that can help this team immediately, so like other Lakers mock trades over the past few weeks, they would likely have to add a young player into the mix, or add another first-round draft pick. Either way, this would would add to Utah’s haul of picks, and it would also give them cap room to be as flexible as possible going forward as they look to build a winner and capture their first NBA Championship in franchise history.

So what do you think of these trades? Could the Jazz get more out of the Knicks and Lakers? Is there any other Jazz players you’d like to see traded? Should the Jazz keep Donovan Mitchell and re-tool around him? As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the comments!