Utah Jazz debate series: 3 reasons Mitchell should be traded

Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz vs Dallas Mavericks (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
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Jul 11, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Jazz guard Jared Butler (13) celebrates with Utah Jazz guard Justin Robinson (5) during a time out from an NBA Summer League game against the Dallas Mavericks at Cox Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 11, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Jazz guard Jared Butler (13) celebrates with Utah Jazz guard Justin Robinson (5) during a time out from an NBA Summer League game against the Dallas Mavericks at Cox Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

3. It would give the Utah Jazz plenty of cap space going forward

The Utah Jazz had a lot of their money tied up into three players heading into this off-season, and if they move Donovan Mitchell, they’ll have plenty of space going forward, especially when Mike Conley’s cap hit is also off the board, either after this upcoming year or beforehand when they make the rumoured trade to send him away too.

If the Jazz were to trade Mitchell, the likelihood would be that they don’t look to use all that cap space on long-term players, but if they begin to build a good, solid young core like the Oklahoma City Thunder, they’ll have space to add players that fit their mold, as well as having the ability to pay their young draftees long-term. Too many teams around the league find themselves locked into one or two players, unable to make the necessary moves to turn them from playoff team into contender, and while this won’t make Utah a contender immediately, giving them a clean slate and flexibility going forward will allow them a fresh start to build the team how they want, with money and plenty of picks.