Jazz news: Donovan Mitchell says opponents will have to 'pick your poison' as Utah believed to be 'legit contender'

Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell discussed how dangerous the team will be after their big offseason moves.

Many executives around the league have viewed the Utah Jazz's offseason as one of the most transformative of this busy summer. The Jazz have surrounded franchise gem Donovan Mitchell with major help, which has largely flown under the radar.

While the Los Angeles Lakers made a splashy trade for Anthony Davis while opening up another max slot, and the Brooklyn Nets signed a trio of friends in Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan, the Jazz have carefully retooled their roster into a contender. Those who have followed the offseason closely see it as no joke:

“There's no doubt they can be a legit contender,” a scout told ESPN.

The trade for point guard Mike Conley, acquisition of sharpshooting forward Bojan Bogdanovic and additions of other role players like Ed Davis, Emmanuel Mudiay and Jeff Green have bolstered Utah from a postseason hopeful to a playoff contender:

“We've got guys that can spread out the floor,” said center Rudy Gobert, fresh off his second selection as Defensive Player of the Year. “The way Donovan plays, the way I play, having those guys that can spread out the floor is going to be a nightmare for every defense. They're going to have to make tough decisions.”

Mitchell, more than anyone else, is aware of the deep implications of adding capable shooters, as he no longer will have to carry the heavy burden of scoring all by his lonesome:

“Obviously, adding a guy like Bogdanovic, that's big,” said Mitchell. “You have him, you have Joe [Ingles], you have Mike [Conley], and Royce [O'Neale] is a really capable shooter, too. It's going to open up a lot for us as far as getting in the lane, and you've got big Rudy rolling too, so you've got to pick your poison.”

Unlike other teams that will likely need an adjustment period to establish their style of play, all of Utah's pieces are a plug-and-play, and they could take the league by storm quicker than most think. Barring injury, this team is ready to hit the hardwood running, and there will be little others can do to stop them with serviceable weapons at hand.