Utah Jazz Receive: C Jonas Valanciunas, G Devonte’ Graham, G/F Herb Jones, 2023 First-Round Pick (LAL via NOP), 2024 First-Round Pick (LAL via NOP), 2025 First-Round Pick (NOP), 2026 First-Round Pick (MIL via NOP)
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G Donovan Mitchell
In 2022, draft picks are the currency of the NBA.
Most importantly, they’re multifunctional. Of course, draft picks are used to select players – in the draft. That seems obvious enough.
With that said, they’re also generally some of the most valuable trade assets around the league.
Teams are inclined to stockpile picks until it’s time to push them all in for a star player.
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After all, the team losing the star player is likely to need draft picks. They’ll be using them to select young players. This is the cycle of the NBA.
With that in mind, the Jazz appear to be on the downturn of that cycle. Are the Pelicans ready to ascend?