The Utah Jazz traded Donovan Mitchell in 2022 for Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, and 3 first-round picks, including the 29th pick in 2025 that just turned into Liam McNeeley. The franchise also traded Rudy Gobert in what turned into two regrettable deals that have trapped the Jazz in a rebuild. Beyond that, the draft capital from the Mitchell trade was virtually flipped for one pick.
The Jazz traded the worst of the three picks they own (Cleveland, Minnesota, and Utah) in 2025, 2027, and 2029 to Phoenix for an unprotected selection in 2031. The Cavs look primed to be in contention during that run, so all of their selections may be flipped for one unprotected lottery pick from the Suns. One unprotected selection is a small price to pay for a six-time All-Star who’s still in his prime.
The Jazz brought in Austin Ainge with the plan of ramping back up toward contention. Sadly, the Jazz won’t see the draft pick return from this deal for years to come.
Donovan Mitchell trade is even more painful as draft pick gets finalized
It was the 29th pick in the 2025 draft. There are zero guarantees it becomes a difference-maker, but the Jazz went from six straight playoff appearances to winning a total of 85 games in three seasons. They traded their franchise player in part to get these draft picks and are not even seeing the fruits of that return.
Here are the full details of the Mitchell trade with the players drafted filled in for the picks we know.
- Jazz received: Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, Liam McNeeley, 2027 1st round pick, 2029 1st round pick, 2 1st round pick swaps (2026, 2028)
- Cavaliers received: Donovan Mitchell
Markkanen became an All-Star in Utah, but it did not result in wins. The pressure is certainly on Utah to nail their draft picks in the coming years to make this trade worthwhile. They cannot bank on that 2031 unprotected pick from Phoenix to save them. They would be nearly a decade into their rebuild at that stage, which is entirely too long.
The Jazz won’t be swapping picks with the Cavaliers next season, so they are at least two years away from seeing any draft pick compensation from this trade. That is a brutal reality for a team starved for talent. It has already been three years since Mitchell was traded and it will be a half decade before they see any draft capital from the deal.
The Utah Jazz will continue to feel the pain as Donovan Mitchell thrives in Cleveland. That is the risk in trading a star in his prime and embarking on a total rebuild. Jazz fans need any bright spot at this point and have hopes their picks from the 2025 draft can help them turn things around. Utah is still years away from contending, but a positive step would be a welcomed sight right now.