For the entirety of the 2022 NBA offseason, it has felt like Donovan Mitchell's time with the Utah Jazz is running out. His desire to request a trade to a better city and join a team like the New York Knicks or Miami Heat is reportedly real. However, he may not act on it just yet.
According to Matt Moore of the Action Network, the Jazz are committed to building around Mitchell. Although there is a “when, not if” vibe around Mitchell's trade request, Utah will do whatever it can to make its star happy. This means that Rudy Gobert, who Mitchell still does not get along with, will be traded before he is.
As far as the idea of a Mitchell trade coming down the pike, league sources do feel that it’s a matter of “when and not if” with Mitchell eventually asking to go to a “glamour market” like New York or Miami. But in the short term, there’s skepticism it will happen. New Jazz owner Ryan Smith is said to be extremely dedicated to keeping and building around Mitchell. Which, of course, is going to mean moving Rudy Gobert as it’s become apparent that relationship is untenable on-court and off-court.
If the Jazz could ship off Gobert for someone like OG Anunoby — a deal which both teams may be interested in and would serve Utah well — they could start anew with Donovan Mitchell and convince him to see the remainder of his contract out rather than request a trade. With the right moves, they may be able to persuade him on staying with Utah long-term.
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