2018 NBA Mock Draft: Knicks go big with Mo Bamba

The Jazz offense was nearly four points worse per 100 possessions when Ricky Rubio was on the court this season, despite all you’ve heard about a breakout from the Spanish boy wonder. And last night, Utah went out and beat the No. 1 seed in the West without Rubio, putting up a few more 3s than their season average behind Donovan Mitchell’s playoff-high 11 assists. Is it time for the Jazz to consider a different type of player than Rubio opposite Mitchell?

With Mitchell’s rapid development coming completely out of nowhere this year, Utah understandably felt the need to acquire Rubio to stay competitive. They had just lost both George Hill and Gordon Hayward in free agency, but had too much talent to bottom out. Rubio was supposed to provide balance to the offense as an initiator until Mitchell was ready. Then Mitchell’s explosion into the league forced the two to play together the majority of the time, creating a bigger problem of Rubio’s limited offensive game than intended.

Rubio will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, meaning the Jazz will have their hands forced on a decision whether they are happy with the pairing or not. Melton’s integration next season would provide a different look off the bench, as well as an opportunity to develop Rubio’s replacement (or Dante Exum’s).

Mitchell is the star around which the entire Jazz franchise now has to orbit, and with so many others on this roster in their prime, Utah should act quickly putting a championship team together.