Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, 45, prepares to take a free throw during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
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SALT LAKE CITY — Danny Ainge has plans, but with a caveat. It takes time.
The Utah Jazz announced Thursday afternoon that the team will trade Donovan Mitchell for guard Colin Sexton, forward Lauri Markkanen, rookie winger Ochai Agbaj, three future first-round picks, and two pick swaps. announced that it had
The deal has been known since Friday, but the announcement allowed Jazz management to provide the thinking behind the move.
Ainge said in a statement that the Jazz would need to make some changes now if they were to compete for the title in the future. He and Justin Zanik went ahead and pushed that button.
“It was clear that we needed to transition our roster to optimize our chances of creating a team that could truly compete and establish lasting success,” Ainge said. It was a rare opportunity to maximize my ability to get quality talent and picks and get the best position to move forward by trading the .”
Jazz now have many options in front of them. But most, if not all, will require a lengthy rebuild. Jazz tore it all up. Ainge hinted that the process is not an easy one.
“We are making plans to put together a championship team that the fans deserve,” he said. “Building a roster takes time. We all understand the work ahead and are committed to our vision.”
Utah went out looking for first-round picks in exchange for the star and found them. It could be a while before any of these picks become a player on the championship-hoping roster. But while the pick was a big prize, Jazz says he’s thrilled with the young prospect returning from Cleveland for Mitchell.
Agbazi was selected with the 14th overall pick in the 2022 Draft, representing the best-drafted rook since Mitchell (13th overall in 2017). Markkanen is in his 6th season and has become one of the best players in his EuroBasket tournament in 2022. Sexton, who the Jazz signed to a four-year, $72 million contract as part of a trade, averaged over 24 points in the 2020-21 season, his last healthy season.
“Ochai, Lauri and Colin are exciting young players and we are thrilled to add them to our roster,” Zanik said in a statement. , we believe fit for the hardcore, competitive basketball brand.They give us versatility and athleticism on both ends of the floor as we grow into the future.We , our fans get to know them.”
As hard as it was when Mitchell came to Utah from Louisville with a big smile on his face, it’s hard to see those fans embrace any of them. brought excitement and hope to But that hope eventually burned out. That led to the decision to move on from the home-born All-Star, who averaged 23.9 points, 4.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds in his five seasons in Utah.
“The Jazz have had many great moments over the last five years as Donovan developed into a perennial All-Star,” said owner Ryan Smith in a statement. The social impact was just as important.He was an amazing human being and impacted the lives of so many people through his involvement in the community.Our entire organization wishes him all the best for his future success. Once a jazzman, always a jazzman.”
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