Eric Walden and Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune wonder what Jazz general manager Justin Zanik might be able to get for All-Stars Donovan Mitchell or Rudy Gobert on the trade market, should the team opt to break up its playoff core during the offseason
Walden and Larsen note that the Jazz own one of the NBA’s priciest rosters. The club lacks a pick in the 2022 draft, through which it could have theoretically added complementary young talent under team control. Utah has yet to get beyond the second round of the playoffs with its Mitchell-Gobert core.
The authors also express skepticism that offloading the contracts of expensive starters Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Royce O’Neale, or sixth man Jordan Clarkson would result in any sort of meaningful return. This leaves the pathway to improve the team without offloading Mitchell or Gobert fairly narrow.
There’s more out of the Northwest Division:
- The Thunder are likely looking at a variety of players with the No. 12 pick near the end of the 2022 draft lottery, writes Joe Mussatto of the Oklahoman. Mussatto previews the fits of several young prospects, including G League Ignite guard Dyson Daniels, Baylor forward Jeremy Sochan, and Memphis center Jalen Duren, among others.
- The Trail Blazers are reshaping their front office under new permanent general manager Joe Cronin during the offseason. Jason Quick of The Athletic (Twitter link) reports that assistant GM Bill Branch, who had been in Portland since 2010, has been let go by the team. This latest move continues a brain trust overhaul that began in December 2021.
- Tulsa forward Jeriah Horne, St. John’s wing Julian Champagnie and Alabama guard JD Davison are among the NBA hopefuls who have been brought in to work out for the Timberwolves as Minnesota prepares for the 2022 draft, per Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News (Twitter video links). The Timberwolves possess the Nos. 19, 40, 48, and 50 picks this year.
If Knicks make offer for Mitchell and Gobert, Danny Ainge would offer Conley and Bogdanovic contracts instead
Counter offer
This is what I know about Ainge
Ainge better asked for 50% ownership stake in the Knicks and a nice size private island to hide from Mormon Mafia send to take him out if the Knicks want a counter offer back for Mitchell and Goebert.
We’re talking a PG13 level trade for Mitchell right? A player or two to match salaries and 4 or 5 1sts all unprotected.
Who in their right mind would do that? Well if the Sixers had Ben Simmons and all their picks they’d do it yesterday.
Nets would if they had picks.
This only truly makes sense for a team that needs a 2 guard, has all of their picks, has a Star player, and has someone they can give up.
And probably a team in the East. Probably a team that isn’t going to attract that high quality FA. Detroit, Atlanta, and Indiana. How about those teams.
Clippers signed PG13
When he was traded for it was Oladipo and Sabonis
Clippers traded for pg13. That’s how thunder got SGA and picks
lol, oh yeah, they signed Kawhi — haha whoops
Jazz know keeping Mitchell and getting back a young player or two and building around Donovan Mitchell is the ideal plan.
But if the Gobert offers aren’t attractive enough then as you say I think it’ll have to be a huge deal for Spida. I’m talking young players, guys to match and multiple multiple firsts.
But I feel like they shouldn’t be afraid to under sell Gobert and risk getting a young guy that can develop next to Mitchell.
Just for example Gobert and Rudy Gay for Vuce, Patrick Williams and Coby White.
Might sound like a poor return, Gobert is a 3 time DPOY and blah blah blah, Vuce isn’t even an all star anymore. But what your actually doing is replacing him, and banking on Patrick Williams being a good fit and developing into something really good. The also getting Coby White who could potentially be here for the long haul. That’s just an example.
The last time the Jazz did a true rebuild was when they got Deron Williams near the top of the draft. That team they built went to the WCF. I don’t think Jazz fans would mind a rebuild if it meant we’re drafting high-level talent for 2-3 years. They desperately need athleticism and length. Then, when the time is right, fill it out with FA’s before the rookies sign their extensions.
The kind of players to look for are 1) High BB IQ. 1a) Strong work ethic. 2) Mentally fearless and secure in their manhood. 3) Never quit or make excuses. 4) Long, versatile athletes that can guard multiple positions. 5) Gym rats who love basketball and will play anytime, anywhere. =)
Note: Exceptional skill can negate elite athleticism as long as they have all the other qualities. For example, John Stockton and Doncic both have exceptional skill, and all the other traits, but aren’t elite athletes in the traditional sense. Stockton at least had elite speed. Doncic has a strong body. However, it’s their high BB IQ that more than makes up for it. Anticipation can save you in many instances.
P.S. Can bypass the FA signing in year 3 or 4 if the team is finding the right pieces every year in the draft. As long as they don’t settle and get the right types of players then FA are less needed.
For example, the Warriors drafted all 3 of their best players. The rest were signed FA (their centers and bench) or trades (Iggy, then later KD). The Spurs of old did the same thing.
I suspect Boston will win it this year and they did that same method, but they still have more of their draft picks than these other teams. Although, they did that by making savvy trades to get lots of picks! Seems to work!
The Jazz did the above, but only 2 of their best players. These days, you need at least 3 elite players. I’d recommend all 5 being versatile and 2-way players like Boston. I love how well that team was built. Hopefully, the Jazz can do something similar.
Daniels can’t shoot. Any team that drafts him in the first round will regret it.
Duren is a big plodding 5 who is a 2nd round pick.
Danny built the Celtics today and he can do the same in Utah but they have to trade Mitchell and Gobert. But I think they should run it back one more time.
Not Mitchell but Gobert. It doesn’t usually end up good when you trade an all-star player in his mid 20s. Bulls traded Butler and haven’t done anything until they decided to sign another player the same age as him 5 years later…
It’s funny because back in the day, “tweeners” were looked down upon because there were so many really strong post players. Now, the game is mostly perimeter-oriented, which fits “tweeners” really well! Teams then had to evolve. Now scouting reports call them “versatile”. lol
Honestly, it’s all how you use your players. Some coaches/GMs see potential better than others.