Woj: Jazz Willing To Trade Donovan Mitchell
Jul 12, 2022, 4:00 PM
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell grabs the ball over Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) grabs a rebound as he and Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) battle as the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks play game four at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Utah won 100-99. (Photo: Deseret News/Scott G Winterton)
(Photo: Deseret News/Scott G Winterton)
SALT LAKE CITY – Just one week after the Utah Jazz traded All-Star center Rudy Gobert, they are reportedly listening to trade offers for superstar guard Donovan Mitchell.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Jazz are willing to take calls from opposing teams regarding Mitchell.
“After previously shutting down inquiries on moving All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, rival teams say the Utah Jazz are showing a willingness to listen on possible trade scenarios, sources tell ESPN,” Wojnarowski tweeted.
After previously shutting down inquiries on moving All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, rival teams say the Utah Jazz are showing a willingness to listen on possible trade scenarios, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 12, 2022
When news broke that the team was trading Gobert, Wojnarowski reported that the Jazz plan was to build around Mitchell using their new assets.
However, that report changed Tuesday.
“The asking price appears to be steep, but in the wake of Utah’s recent Rudy Gobert blockbuster deal to Minnesota, the Jazz are no longer simply dismissing calls on Mitchell, sources said,” Wojnarowski added.
Jazz general manager Justin Zanik recently said that Mitchell was an important part of the Jazz’s roster, but stopped short of saying he was untradable.
“Change is inevitable in the NBA,” Zanik said. “I’m not trying to be cryptic or anything else but Donovan’s on our roster and he’s a very, very important part of what we’re trying to do. Things evolve in the NBA, so I couldn’t sit here and say anybody is… we’re trying to build a championship team, but there’s no intent there.”
The @utahjazz front office called Donovan Mitchell a "very important" part of the roster after trading Rudy Gobert.
And, Justin Zanik described each new member of the roster. #TakeNotehttps://t.co/DacOw08nF4
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 10, 2022
Mitchell, 25, is coming off his third consecutive All-Star season where he averaged 25.9 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.2 rebounds.
The guard signed a five-year, $163 million extension in November of 2020 and has three years, plus a player option for the fourth year remaining on his deal.
Originally selected by the Denver Nuggets, the Jazz acquired Mitchell via trade on draft night in 2017 using second-year forward Trey Lyles and the 24th pick in the draft.
With Mitchell on the roster, the Jazz have made five consecutive trips to the postseason including to stops in the Western Conference Semifinals.
