Let’s Set Odds: Where Will Donovan Mitchell Play Next Season?

It seems the end has finally come for this edition of the Utah Jazz. 

On June 5th, Quin Snyder announced that he is stepping down as the Head Coach in Utah.  This likely is not the solution to a tumultuous Snyder, Mitchell, and Gobert core, but simply the first domino to fall.  

Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Mitchell has been described as "unsettled and unnerved" by the move.

There have been rumors swirling about Donovan Mitchell’s future and all signs point to the 25 year old star wanting out.  Even though he has three more years, plus a player option on his contract.  

That doesn’t often matter in the modern NBA, if a star player wants out, they get out, regardless of their contract.  Paul George got out of OKC with years left, James Harden got out of Houston and then out of Brooklyn, and Ben Simmons out of Philly.  If Mitchell goes nuclear, there will certainly be teams who are interested.  

Donovan Mitchell Next Team Odds

Utah Jazz +100

Miami Heat +400

Atlanta Hawks +750

New York Knicks +1000

Utah Jazz (+100)

The more you look around there is not a perfect trade fit for Mitchell that would be better for the Jazz than just hanging onto him and moving on from Gobert.  Danny Ainge is running things in Utah now and he isn’t one to give up on a young star like Donovan Mitchell who is entering his prime years.  Ainge is famous for the Kevin Garnett Paul Pierce trade to Brooklyn that netted him Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in the draft.  These were aging stars who Ainge capitalized on, but that’s very different from this Utah situation.  

Even if Mitchell refuses to play for Utah next year and demands a trade, holding onto him still might not be the worst thing for Ainge.  This would set the Jazz up to get a top pick next year and Mitchell would still hold his value for when another team either opens cap space or gets desperate.  

Miami Heat (+400)

Miami clearly didn’t have enough offense to get past Boston this year and Mitchell would provide a running mate in the back court for Jimmy Butler who is ready to win right now.  Kyle Lowry is too old and has not worked in that role and both he and Tyler Herro were not healthy for much of the playoffs. 

With Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, and Donovan Mitchell the Heat would have a chance to leapfrog the Celtics and Bucks in the East.  Miami could send Tyler Herro as the centerpiece of a package that might be better than what Utah could get from anyone else.  

Atlanta Hawks (+750)

The Hawks are the team that is in most need of a trade and have been rumored to have interest in Mitchell.  Now do I think a team with Mitchell and Trae Young would be successful? Not a chance.  But I could see Atlanta talking themselves into a new age “splash brothers” backcourt and just try to win every game 160-159.  

Atlanta’s problem is that they have too many good players and not enough great ones.  They could package a lot of these assets to flip for Mitchell, likely John Collins would be in the deal to make the salaries work and that might entice Utah.  

Atlanta still might not have enough for Utah to give up on the face of their franchise.  

New York Knicks (+1000)

Many people would have the Knicks as the favorite to trade for Mitchell.  New York has been dying for a star since missing out on Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and Zion Williamson or Ja Morant, in the same offseason.  

They could put together the best package for him too.  RJ Barrett is a better asset than any other team in this list could offer, but I have a feeling New York likes Barrett too much and has a plan to add around him.  

The Knicks recently hired Rick Brunson as an assistant coach.  Notably, Brunson is the father of impending free agent, Jalen Brunson.  Jalen went toe-to-toe with Mitchell in the playoffs when Luka Doncic was out and if the Knicks can add him without giving up Barrett, that is a much better plan than selling out for former Leon Rose client, Donovan Mitchell.