Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal 

If the Jazz do look to trade Mitchell this summer, count on them seeking a draft-focused package in return. Ultimately, improving their own lottery odds will be as high of a priority as anything else. 

After all, the Jazz will surely be bottoming out following this trade. They’ll be punching their ticket to the Victor Wembenyama sweepstakes. If they followed this deal up by moving the rest of their veterans, they could be the worst team in the NBA in 2022-23. 

Of course, that’s a dubious distinction. Moreover, it’s a goal many fans don’t like to see their team aspire towards. 

It’s also a reality of life in the NBA. If the Jazz landed a top 5 pick in the upcoming draft, their decision to bottom out would be instantly justified.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Washington Wizards & Utah Jazz Updates

Furthermore, this deal equips them with plenty of draft capital to help them continue reloading in the future. If the lottery balls bounce their way, those hard decisions could lead to a major payoff down the road.