NBA Trade Rumor: Donovan Mitchell on the verge to leave Utah Jazz for bigger market


NBA Trade Rumor: Donovan Mitchell on the verge to leave Utah Jazz for bigger market

Donovan Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz is one of the best young players in the NBA. At 25 years of age, he is already a 2X NBA All-Star. For Utah Jazz, he is their biggest and most important piece. But it is looking like it may not be the case for long as Mitchell’s trade rumors surface.

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Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell

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NBA’s trading window started on December 15th, 2021, and will be open until February 10th, 2022. Rumors have it that Donovan Mitchell is not happy with the potential of the market in Utah. Hence, he may be on the verge of leaving Utah for a bigger market.

Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Clippers prediction
Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz is considered a small-market team. It is owned by the billionaire Ryan Smith, the co-founder of Qualtrics, and his wife Ashley Smith. Forbes put the Jazz’s valuation at $1.75 billion in 2020, the 19th among all the NBA franchises. Utah has a population of ~3.2 million and the Jazz have a brand value of $101 million. For context, New York City has a population of 8.3 million, making the Knicks and the Nets high brand value teams.

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Ryan Smith
Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz

The market of a team used to be based on the population and economy of a location. But over the years, it has now come to be dependent also on local media and broadcast distribution, and the brand of the teams.

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Donovan Mitchell’s trade speculations

Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Clippers Predictions
Donovan Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell was 7th in the All-Star voting count released recently. According to the rumors, that is what has got Mitchell out on the hunt for a bigger market. But, if history is anything to go by, star players in small-market teams are always linked to trade rumors (For example – Damian Lillard every season). So, this doesn’t necessarily mean Mitchell will request a trade to move out of Utah. Having said that – Never say Never.

Mitchell has had a good run with the Jazz thus far in his career and the city loves him too. He has taken the Jazz to the playoffs more often than not. Over the past two years, the big improvement in Utah Jazz has been evident. 

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Donovan Mitchell and Deja Lighty
Donovan Mitchell

Mitchell is currently in the first year of his brand new 5-year, $195 million contract, that he signed last year. Of this amount, $163 million is guaranteed, while the rest will depend on whether Mitchell makes it to an All-NBA team or not. He will receive $28 million this season.

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