Report: Mitchell Committed To Jazz Through Summer
May 24, 2022, 2:36 PM
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action during a game against the New York Knicks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 07, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Two weeks after reporting that Utah Jazz ownership preferred to keep its two franchise cornerstones in Salt Lake City ahead of the 2023 NBA All-Star game, Jake Fischer has written that Donovan Mitchell is committed to the team through the summer.
The Bleacher Report writer said Mitchell is expected to remain with the Jazz heading into the 2022-23 season after a disappointing 2021-22 campaign.
However, there is at least one willing candidate that could pursue Mitchell should the three-time All-Star become available.
“At this juncture, Bradley Beal and Donovan Mitchell are both expected to remain committed to Washington and Utah, respectively, this summer,” Fischer wrote. “But if any trade request did arrive, the Hawks could create as strong an offer as any suitor.”
The early word on Deandre Ayton’s restricted free agency, Atlanta’s big offseason plans, and just how available Zach LaVine will be on the open market, at @BR_NBA: https://t.co/87lOEGS386
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) May 24, 2022
After recording the best record in the NBA during the 2021-22 season, the Jazz faltered this past year finishing with the fifth-best record in the Western Conference.
The Jazz were eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in the opening round of the playoffs, which led to a call for significant changes from the team’s fanbase.
However, since their earlier-than-expected exit, no changes have been made to the team’s roster, coaching staff, or front office.
Fischer’s Earlier Reports
Fischer has been busy on the Jazz front this summer reporting on what a reconstructed roster might look like.
After reporting that Mitchell and Rudy Gobert were likely to remain in Utah through the 2023 All-Star game, Fischer told Patrick Kinahan on 97.5 The Zone Sports Network that guard Mike Conley might be the name the Jazz look to move.
One day after reporting the @utahjazz would prefer to hold onto both Gobert and Mitchell, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer said Mike Conley is the player most likely to be traded. #TakeNote | @ZoneSportsNet https://t.co/pX3Isw42ly
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 12, 2022
“We definitely talked a lot about Mike Conley trade destinations,” Fischer said, “and I feel like he’s the piece that’s probably the most likely to go out the door based on conversations I’ve had.”
Conley is just 14 months removed from being named a Western Conference All-Star but struggled in this year’s opening-round playoff series against the Mavericks.
The veteran guard averaged just 9.2 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 33 percent from the floor and 20 percent from the three-point line.
