1. It would give Utah a clear, definitive direction going forward
This is the biggest reason why the Jazz should trade Donovan Mitchell, because keeping him around would leave the team practically in no man’s land: good enough to make the play-in, but nowhere near good enough to make a significant run through the playoffs. Trading Mitchell now however, could gift the team several young players, as well as picks that will allow them to slowly build a young core, as well as giving them extra assets to add players they believe can help build this team into the winner we’ve become accustomed to Utah being.
We’ve seen Danny Ainge do this before, and while it may be painful for a while for Jazz fans, it will pay off in the end, as a struggle in 2022 with plenty of picks could potentially net the team Victor Wenbanyama, but even if it doesn’t, the amount of picks they’ll have to add blue chip, genuine prospects will help this team in years to come. Philadelphia trusted the process for years, and now they’re a top team in the East, and although Oklahoma City aren’t yet out of their rebuild, their accumulation of picks has led them to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Lu Dort and Chet Holmgren, meaning the blueprint for success for Utah is right there in front of them.