After what has seemed like an eternity for Jazz fans, the trade rumors and speculation are finished. All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday afternoon, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Now, looking in depth at the trade and comparing it to the Rudy Gobert trade of July, was this a good transaction for both teams? Did the Jazz get the most they could have out received for Mitchell?
Trade Details
Cavaliers Receive:
G Donovan Mitchell
Jazz Receive:
G Collin Sexton
F Ochai Agbaji
F Lauri Markkanan
Three unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2027, 2029)
Two pick swaps (2026, 2028)
Another thing to note is that after the Mitchell and Gobert trades, the Jazz have accumulated a total of 13 unprotected or lightly protected first-round picks through the 2029 season. While this may not be as impressive as the Thunder’s treasure trove of picks, the Jazz are certainly in the mix of teams with the best draft capital.
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Grades
Cleveland Cavaliers – A
The Cavaliers gave up a large haul of both picks and players in the trade. But looking at what the Jazz got for Rudy Gobert and what they were rumored to get from the Knicks for Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers can’t help feeling like they may have gotten off easy. Despite concerns about a defensively weak backcourt, the Cavaliers have officially made a large step towards contending for a championship – if not now then in the near future – and it is very hard to put a price tag on a Larry O’Brien trophy. Also, after extending All-Star guard Darius Garland, it was unlikely for the Cavaliers to keep Collin Sexton in the mix. Trading Sexton for a bona fide superstar in Donovan Mitchell is one of the best uses for someone Cleveland felt like they no longer had use for.
Utah Jazz – B+
While it is up for debate whether the Jazz should have traded Donovan Mitchell, it has been pretty clear over the last month or so that the Jazz would end up trading him, whether to New York or elsewhere. While the Jazz didn’t garner the draft capital they received in the Rudy Gobert trade that was made just under two months ago, the Jazz were certainly not swindled. After landing and extending Collin Sexton – who averaged 24.3 points per game during the 2020-2021 campaign – the Jazz have given their offense a young focal point to build around.
The only reason the Jazz don’t receive an A grade for the deal would be that after some of the rumored trade offers from the Knicks, it’s hard to imagine the Jazz don’t have the thought of “what could have been” in the back of their mind. However, a deal containing a young star, a rookie straight out of the lottery, a starting caliber stretch four, as well as draft capital certainly won’t leave the Jazz feeling like the losers of this deal.
