The Utah Jazz are reportedly advancing the timeline for Donovan Mitchell’s trade.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the team plans to move Mitchell before the September NBA training camp starts.
“[Tim] MacMahon, you said I believe last week that you thought that the Jazz would make a Donovan Mitchell trade before the [regular season] opener,” Windhorst said. “And it sounds to me in talking to people around the league that the Jazz want to try to go even sooner than that. They want to go before training camp.”
I don’t think people realize that trading for Donovan Mitchell would negate the #Cavs ability to sign Evan Mobley to a maximum rookie contract extension down the line.
I wouldn’t read much into Cleveland calling Utah. It’s just due diligence.
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) August 24, 2022
Mitchell’s trade speculations
Tyler Greenawalt speculated in his article on Yahoo Sports that the New York Knicks have been the focus of Mitchell’s trade rumors.
Meanwhile, Ian Begley tweeted that the Cleveland Cavaliers, who had been interested in recruiting Mitchell, have reportedly stopped their attempts.
“Cleveland Cavaliers have removed themselves from Donovan Mitchell trade talks, per SNY sources,” Begley wrote. “Doesn’t seem like there are any suitors at moment who can approach what Knicks can offer Utah – even if you take RJ Barrett off the table. So this trade is still NYK’s to lose.”
The Utah Jazz are motivated to make a Donovan Mitchell deal before training camp, per Brian Windhorst
“It does sound as I talk to folks in the league that the Jazz are trying to apply the gas here. To try to juice the offer, especially juice the offer from the New York Knicks.” pic.twitter.com/hXYDLW5WlX
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 26, 2022
According to Begley, the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat might be eyeing for Mitchell.
However, Andrew Buller-Russ from SportsNaut said that their offer could not beat the Knicks’ unless the Heat offered Bam Adebayo.
“But some members of the Nets organization like where the roster is at the moment and don’t feel a sense or urgency to pursue Mitchell,” Begley said.
Cleveland Cavaliers have removed themselves from Donovan Mitchell trade talks, per SNY sources. Doesn’t seem like there are any suitors at moment who can approach what Knicks can offer Utah – even if you take RJ Barrett off the table. So this trade is still NYK’s to lose.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) August 26, 2022
“Miami would probably need to engage a third team to produce enough draft capital to satisfy Utah. The Heat can currently trade three future first-round picks.”
Greenawalt said that if Begley’s speculations were correct, then only the Knicks had the means and motivation to trade for Mitchell.
However, Tony Jones of The Athletic revealed that the Jazz have many offers that they prefer to the ones the Knicks are making.
“Unless Bam Adebayo’s on the table,” Jones wrote. “Their package may not be that much stronger than what the Knicks are tossing out, as their draft pick compensation isn’t as valuable as New York’s.”
Until July 29, the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets reportedly engaged in negotiations for Mitchell. However, it is unknown if any real offers have been made.
“I was told by a source that the Jazz actually have a couple of offers, that I was told are from other teams outside of NY that they like an awful lot,” Utah radio host Spence Checketts said.
Previously, the Jazz traded veteran guard Patrick Beverley for Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson with the Los Angeles Lakers. Now, the Jazz are trying to trade Mitchell as fast as they can.
Beverley joined the Jazz earlier this offseason as part of the Rudy Gobert deal that included many draft picks and other players from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Beverley signed a one-year, $13 million agreement last season.
“It does sound as I talk to folks in the league that the Jazz are trying to apply the gas here,” Windhorst added. “To try to juice the offer, especially juice the offer from the New York Knicks.”
While the Knicks can make a strong offer for Mitchell, the two teams have not reached a deal. Jones claimed that the Jazz were also willing to hang onto their star guard rather than accept “90 cents on the dollar” for him.