NBA Trade Rumors: The Utah Jazz could be forced to make a big move this summer if they don’t make a deep playoff run. And that could mean trading Donovan Mitchell.
The Utah Jazz has one of the league’s best duos. However, it does feel as if it could all crumble in a matter of moments. And it has felt that way for the better part of the last two seasons. And those whispers haven’t stopped at any point this season.
In a vacuum, it’s hard to look at the Jazz this season and to think of them as a disappointment. They’re on track to win 48-50 games but because of how deep the Western Conference is this season, will only enter the postseason as a 5ht or 6th seed.
That means there’s a high likelihood that the Jazz could fall in the first round, no matter who their opponent is in the playoffs. Because of that, and that alone, there’s a strong chance that in the end, this season could be viewed as a disappointment.
If that ends up happening, the Jazz will have three first-round playoff losses in their last four years. And in the one year that they did make it to the second round, they blew a 2-0 series lead over the Kawhi Leonard-less LA Clippers.
In short, there’s been too much disappointment for the Jazz in their recent playoff history. And if that trend continues this season, it could force some big changes for the team this offseason.
Tim McMahon on the Lowe Post
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Jazz likely to make “franchise altering moves” if they lose first round
They could trade *literally anyone* after the season
Donovan Mitchell is not staying long term in Utah
There would be mutual interest between Mavs & Gobert if he’s available
There have already been whispers surrounding Donovan Mitchell and now Rudy Gobert. Not to mention even Jazz head coach Quin Snyder has been linked to other head coaching jobs.
It’s actually quite amazing how one more failed playoff run could spell the end of Utah’s core. It may seem a bit overdramatic, but it does make some sense. For as good as Mitchell and Gobert have been, both individually and as a duo, they’ve continued to fall short of expectations in the playoffs.
Change is sometimes good and that could very well be the case for the Jazz. Question is, will they be forced to do so or will this happen on their terms. At least from the recent reporting, it seems like change is close to inevitable for this team if they don’t make a deep playoff run.