“Woj coming in 11 days late on this one”, “Are they willing to take Russ?” - Fans turn in hilarious reactions to Utah Jazz potentially trading Donovan Mitchell this offseason
In the Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell era, the Utah Jazz repeatedly suffered first-round playoff exits and failed to make the Western Conference finals.
But despite the lack of playoff success, Mitchell and Gobert transformed the Jazz into one of the most formidable regular-season teams. In the last six seasons, the Jazz finished first in their division on three occasions and had three 50+ win seasons.
But after falling early in the playoffs last season, the Jazz management decided it was time for an overhaul. Coach Quin Snyder submitted his resignation after the season and the Jazz then traded Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves for four first-round picks.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported earlier that the Jazz were looking to rebuild around Mitchell, but said yesterday that they are open to trading the guard, with several teams interested.
After previously shutting down inquiries on moving All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, rival teams say the Utah Jazz are showing a willingness to listen on possible trade scenarios, sources tell ESPN.
Wojnarowski added a quote from general manager Justin Zanik, who left the door open for a possible Mitchell trade.
Jazz general manager Justin Zanik told reporters in a recent interview, “Change is inevitable in the NBA…Things evolve in the NBA, so I couldn’t sit here and say anybody is [untouchable]…There’s no intent there [to trade Mitchell] at all.”
Fans were quick to weigh in on the matter, sending in some hilarious reactions to Wojnarowski's report.
@wojespn It’s time https://t.co/GCqr3mhseT
@wojespn Something is up in Utah https://t.co/6ndvlInwxm
@wojespn Woj coming in 11 days late on this one
twitter.com/andyblarsen/st…
@wojespn Are they willing to take Russ?
@wojespn ITS TIME https://t.co/BMOlbFUEPq
@wojespn The smart play is just to go ahead and blow it all up and rebuild. Utah had a great start with the return they got for Gobert, I imagine they get something really good for Mitchell as well to jumpstart the rebuild.
@wojespn Jazz fans right now: https://t.co/jmalEY0eAf
@wojespn https://t.co/BOhfhGfKXp
Donovan Mitchell's time with the Utah Jazz
Donovan Mitchell was drafted 13th overall in the 2017 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets traded him to the Utah Jazz for the 24th overall pick, Tyler Lydon and Trey Lyles.
Mitchell averaged 20.5 points, 3.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game in his rookie season. He was involved in a neck-and-neck battle with Ben Simmons for Rookie of the Year. Mitchell eventually lost the race, with Simmons winning by 79 first-place votes.
Mitchell went on to average 23.8, 24, 26.4 and 25.9 points per game in subsequent seasons with the Jazz. He earned his first All-Star selection in 2020 and has been an All-Star every year since.
Mitchell averaged 36.3 points per game in the playoffs in 2020, on 52.9/51.6/94.8 shooting splits. He averaged 32.3 points per game on 44.7/43.5/82.9 shooting splits in the 2021 playoffs.