The J-Notes
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Grading the Donovan Mitchell Trade For The Utah Jazz

By Nathan Smith

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 12: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz battles for a rebound with Lauri Markkanen #24 and Lamar Stevens #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of their game January 12, 2022 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 12: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz battles for a rebound with Lauri Markkanen #24 and Lamar Stevens #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of their game January 12, 2022 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /
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The Utah Jazz finally did it, as Danny Ainge and this front office committed to the rebuild by moving Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers for three future starters, three unprotected first round picks, and two pick swaps, but how did they do?

Firstly, what they gave away. Ultimately, the Jazz had to make this move, as the package they received in return for Rudy Gobert was based on draft picks (and plenty of them) with an eye for the future, and this left them in a spot where they’d never be able to compete with Donovan Mitchell as their No. 1. Had they of gotten a star or a few B+ players in return, they could have moved forward with Spida leading the way, but that’s not the way it played out, so while losing a player of Mitchell’s caliber sucks for the fans and the immediate future of the Utah Jazz, it was a move that had to be made.

What did Utah get in return?

Firstly, the Jazz added to their stockpile of draft picks, by receiving three future unprotected draft picks, as well as two pick swaps, meaning that they will have at least two picks in the first round for the next 6 NBA Drafts, and no matter what they do, that is always going to put them in a position of power and flexibility.

Next, the players. In return for Mitchell, Utah received former first round pick Collin Sexton, who agreed to a contract extension of 4-years for $72 million, and while some may see that as an overpay, the Young Bull is still only 23-years of age, and at his peak, is capable of replicating the scoring that the Jazz will lose with Mitchell. Next is Lauri Markannen, a power forward with range, athleticism and the potential to be a more than solid starter in the NBA, who could potentially be a big piece of this lineup going forward once Utah start drafting the future of this team. Finally, Ochai Agbaji, the 14th overall pick in this past years NBA Draft, who is a lethal shooter from beyond the arc, and one of the best scorers in college basketball in 2021, who’s pairing with Sexton in the backcourt could make this a very fun team to watch in 2022.

Ultimately, this was a deal the Jazz had to make, and the return was more than solid, and even if none of the players in return end up being at the level of Donovan Mitchell, the sheer volume of assets can help them trade for a star in the future, or gives them plenty of extra shots to draft a star. Was this a perfect trade? By all means, no. But was this a trade that the Jazz needed to make so they could move on with the future of the franchise and begin building for the next successful era in Utah basketball? Yes.

Grade: A-

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