The Utah Jazz was eliminated from the NBA playoffs just over a week ago, yet there has already been a ton of speculation about changes that could occur this offseason. It could be time to break up their All-Star duo of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.
They have played together for five seasons, finding a ton of success in the regular season. However, once the postseason rolls around, that success has not been replicated. They have only two series victories in that span and just as many inexcusable losses.
In 2021, the Jazz was tied 2-2 with the LA Clippers when it was announced that Kawhi Leonard would miss the remainder of the postseason. The Jazz lost the next two games, including blowing a 25-point lead in the decisive Game 6 loss in Los Angeles.
This year, they received a similar break with Luka Doncic dealing with a calf injury. He missed the first three games of the series but Utah failed to take advantage, going down 2-1 despite Doncic being sidelined.
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Two disappointing postseason exits in a row should result in some major changes to the roster. Gobert reportedly gave the team an ultimatum that it was either him or Mitchell that would have to go. Of the two, the team would likely choose to build around Mitchell, who is more than four years younger than Gobert and closer to what NBA teams are looking to build rosters around.
However, it has been reported that the Jazz was a first-round exit away from Mitchell being a member of the New York Knicks. Another team that is reportedly on his wish list should he be traded is the Miami Heat.
Donovan Mitchell should be ecstatic if he were to be traded to South Beach, as the Miami Heat are the ideal trade destination for him. For starters, the Heat are built to win now. Mitchell has not experienced much success in the postseason, but that would change should he land in Miami.
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They look like legitimate title contenders this year, as they currently hold a 2-0 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in their second-round series. Their culture could also bring out the best version of Mitchell.
Coming out of Louisville, there was a lot of hype around the defensive potential that he possessed. He is only 6’1” but has a wingspan of 6’10” so he can hold his own against bigger opponents on the perimeter. That has not yet translated to the NBA, but if there was a team that could get the most out of him on the defensive end of the court it is an Erik Spoelstra-coached team led by Jimmy Butler on the court.
With Butler in the lineup, Mitchell wouldn’t have to carry the offensive load by himself as he sometimes does in Utah. Depending on who he is traded for, he could be playing alongside other offensive playmakers in Kyle Lowry or Tyler Herro as well.
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Miami is not shy about making blockbuster deals and there could be one on the table when it comes to Mitchell. Putting together a compelling enough package that the Utah Jazz would want to make a deal would present some challenges as Miami doesn’t have much draft capital at its disposal.
But, if Donovan Mitchell had his choice of where to end up, the Miami Heat presents the ideal landing spot for him. They are one of the best-run organizations in the NBA and he would have a chance to compete for an NBA Championship right away.
