Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Donovan Michell, F Royce O’Neale
Utah Jazz Receive: C/F Anthony Davis, 2026 First-Round Pick (Swap – LAL), 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
If the Utah Jazz are forced to move on from Donovan Mitchell this summer, most will not expect this to be their return. A simple question: Why not, exactly?
This trade allows Anthony Davis to resume play at his preferred four spot. Imagine a frontcourt duo of Davis and Rudy Gobert. Davis’ ability to roam as a free safety paired with Gobert’s elite rim protection ought to make for the best defense in the NBA. It may sound crazy. So crazy that it just might work?
If it doesn’t, the Jazz at least got a first-round pick and a swap for their star guard. It’s a longshot: that’s a poor return for Mitchell in the unfortunate event that Anthony Davis’ career is permanently tarnished by injuries.
With that said, if he returns to form, the Jazz could win this trade. In fact, that possibility is probably what makes a Davis trade unlikely in the first place.
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The Lakers will probably hang onto their big man and see if he can resemble his old self in 2022-23. With that said, if Donovan Mitchell is on the table, they’d have to entertain changing course.
