Utah Jazz Receive: G Devonte’ Graham, F/C Larry Nance Jr., 2023 First-Round Pick (NOP) 

New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G Mike Conley 

On the other hand, nobody needs to tell the Utah Jazz about trying to balance offense and defense. In fact, their entire last era of basketball was predicated on trying to find that balance. 

The concept was simple. Pair one of the best offensive players in the NBA in Donovan Mitchell with perhaps the league’s best defensive player in Rudy Gobert, and you should thrive on both ends of the ball, right? 

Sure. For the past several years, the Jazz have been good. They just haven’t been good enough. Realistically, they faltered by surrounding Gobert and Mitchell with too many one-way players.

Most of their supporting cast were shooting specialists. That left Mitchell needing a secondary playmaker, and Gobert needing help on the defensive end. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mike Conley, Utah Jazz & New Orleans Pelicans Updates

Now, that era is over. Mitchell is a Cavalier, and Gobert is a Timberwolf. The Jazz will be starting from scratch, and will likely spend 2022-23 in the league’s race to the bottom in order to maximize their lottery odds. 

Does this deal do enough for them in that regard?