One week ago, the Utah Jazz decided it was time to break up the Donovan Mitchell–Rudy Gobert core.
Gobert was shipped to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a massive haul of players and picks.
It signaled the end of one of the great regular season teams in recent memory.
In five years together, Mitchell and Gobert led the Jazz to 48+ wins four times.
That included an NBA-best 52-20 mark during the shortened 2020-21 season.
But all that regular season success did not lead to much once playoffs rolled around.
Utah failed to advance past the first round three times.
The Utah Jazz have been eliminated from the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
The Mavericks will face the Suns in Round 2. pic.twitter.com/CftD64oxin
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 29, 2022
The two times they did make it out of the first round ended in second-round exits.
Between the lack of playoff success and Gobert’s COVID-antics at the start of the pandemic, a rift grew between the star teammates.
And while the Gobert deal was seen as a necessary measure, the Jazz may not be done dealing.
It is rumored the Jazz are now open to listening to deals for their star guard.
As with any trade rumors, all the pundits started theorizing where Mitchell might go.
If Mitchell is indeed dealt, here are three perfect fits for the Jazz guard.
3. Miami Heat
Let’s start this exercise by saying not all teams were considered.
Certain teams simply don’t have the chips to trade for Mitchell or already have established players at his position.
The Miami Heat were not one of those teams.
Miami is coming off a season where they lost to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.
While they were staunch defensively, they had little reliable offensive firepower outside of Jimmy Butler.
That would be where Mitchell comes in.
.@NickFriedell thinks Donovan Mitchell is a perfect fit for the Heat 👀
"This is the deal for Miami to make!" pic.twitter.com/RovCs6c7Ue
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 13, 2022
The exact package would have to be worked out, but it would theoretically center on Tyler Herro.
Miami would still be left with a core of Butler, Mitchell, Adebayo, and Lowry.
While Mitchell is not the strongest defender, the Heat could cover him on that end with Butler, Adebayo, and a strong scheme.
Offensively, Mitchell would ensure Butler does not have to shoulder the entire scoring load.
In fact, Butler may be able to slot in as the secondary scoring option.
The Heat are already a talented team who plays hard on both ends of the court.
Mitchell would give them some added juice by scoring the ball.
2. Toronto Raptors
Next up is the Toronto Raptors, a team that has past success in trading for star talents.
While Mitchell doesn’t fit the mold of a 6-foot-7 wing the Raptors have been hoarding lately, he would assuredly elevate the roster.
Whether or not Toronto would agree to this deal is another matter.
Any deal would probably begin and end with Scottie Barnes, the reigning Rookie of the Year.
The Raptors are extremely high on Barnes as a future star and may not want to send him out.
But it isn’t hard to envision Mitchell’s fit with the Raptors.
If Donovan Mitchell is available for trade and the Toronto Raptors fail to find a favourable deal for Kevin Durant, we should target Mitchell. I said his skillset and relative youth would help us get back to the NBA finals. https://t.co/bRiC9x4VUP
— Myguyknowsaguy (@myguyknowsaguy) July 11, 2022
Similar to the Heat, Toronto was a scrappy defensive team who lacked offensive talent.
If all role players weren’t hitting their open threes, the Raptors did not have any backup plan offensively.
Even if Toronto sends out a few of their athletic wings in a Mitchell deal, they will still have enough to cover him on the defensive end.
On the offensive side of the court, Mitchell would add some bite.
While a Fred VanVleet-Mitchell backcourt pairing isn’t ideal defensively, it possesses plenty of talent offensively.
Pascal Siakam would not have to shoulder the load of being the primary scorer, allowing him to slot back into a secondary role like his time with Kawhi Leonard.
That would also allow Siakam to wreak more havoc on the defensive end.
Everything comes back to if Toronto is willing to part with Barnes.
But adding Mitchell to the roster would undoubtedly make the Raptors better now.
1. Brooklyn Nets
This last one is the biggest long-shot of the three.
And Mitchell’s fit here really would not be with the current Brooklyn roster.
In this scenario, the Nets find a trade partner for Kevin Durant; Kyrie Irving is shipped to the Lakers, and Ben Simmons finds a new home (potentially in Utah).
Between Mitchell and the haul of players Brooklyn gets from KD and Kyrie, the Nets could be a true playoff threat.
The Nets have entered the conversation for possible landing spot for Donovan Mitchell.
Who will they have to give up to bring Spida to Brooklyn? 😲 pic.twitter.com/Jz9IW69bes
— Nets Nation (@NetsNationCP) July 13, 2022
Let’s say Durant goes to the Suns for a theoretical package of Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and picks.
Mitchell along with those three gives Brooklyn a strong starting five to make some noise in the Eastern Conference.
What about KD to the Raptors for Barnes, OG Anunoby, and Gary Trent Jr. with picks?
Mitchell’s fit in Toronto was already discussed, this time it would be happening in Brooklyn.
Realistically, Mitchell will not be traded to the Nets.
But if he is, it would likely mean they received a record haul for Durant.
Mitchell plus whatever they get from that deal could be the makings of a talented team.
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