Utah Jazz
After weeks of negotiations, the Utah Jazz have finally come to an agreement on a trade centered around Donovan Mitchell. However, if you are a fan of the Jazz, this trade has to feel like a bit of a disappointment.
The bar was set ridiculously high for a Donovan trade after what they acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Rudy Gobert. The Jazz were a victim of their own success as replicating that return was going to be virtually impossible.
Getting three unprotected first-round picks in return is a good haul, especially if the other teams involved weren’t willing to offer as many. Two pick swaps are also included, but this deal certainly falls flat based on what Danny Ainge was reportedly asking for in exchange from the New York Knicks.
Part of the reason that the Gobert trade was such a success was that Utah not only acquired draft capital but obtained players on team-friendly deals or contracts that are expiring. That is not the case with the Cavaliers package.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cleveland Cavaliers & Utah Jazz Updates
Lauri Markkanen is under contract for three more seasons after signing a four-year, $67,470,906 contract during the 2021 offseason. As part of the deal, Collin Sexton agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal. Ochai Agbaji is on his rookie contract after being selected No. 14 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Bringing on that kind of long-term salary is tough to stomach, especially given the direction Utah is heading in. They are capped out until 2024 when Markkanen and Sexton are the only players currently under contract unless player and team options are exercised and clear space.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cleveland Cavaliers & Utah Jazz Updates
Danny Ainge has no one to blame but himself for setting the bar so high. There was no way unless the Knicks caved and offered multiple picks and young players, that Utah would come out of this deal feeling like winners.
