What the Donovan Mitchell Trade Means For All 30 NBA Teams
Sports Opinion by Josh Blatt
On Thursday afternoon the basketball community had a bomb dropped on them.
Former Utah Jazz shooting guard Donavan Mitchell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for guard Colin Sexton, rookie two-way specialist Ochai Agbaji, forward Lauri Markkanen , a 2025, 2027, and 2029 unprotected first round picks, as well as pick swaps in 2026 and 2028. Here's how it affects every team in the Association.
Atlanta Hawks: Atlanta thought that they were the only team in the Eastern Conference that made a huge jump, but it seems that a September trade that doesn't involve them may have the largest impact on the Hawks. In my opinion the Dejounte Murray trade didn't move the needle into championship contention, but I think the Cavs and Hawks will be competing for a top seeding in the East.
Boston Celtics: Similar to the Hawks, the Celtics have an experienced guard who plays fantastic defense, granted Marcus Smart is a slightly better defender compared to Dejounte Murray. Smart posted a 107.1 defensive rating, whereas Murray's was 108.5 (think golf scores, except a gap of one number can make all the difference) and that will be the difference in what decides how well Boston can fend off Mitchell. Even with Mitchell being the prolific scorer that he is.
Brooklyn Nets: They'll go as far as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are willing to take them, which makes it hard to write off the Brooklyn Nets. The long awaited return of Ben Simmons could give the Cavaliers fits as the 6'11" point forward can guard 1-4 with ease. I look to Simmons to be the key for a potential playoff run into June. Mitchell's acquisition isn't world breaking for Durant and Co.
Charlotte Hornets: *Sigh* The Hornets will not be a playoff team, after the loss of Miles Bridges... for obvious reasons, this team will STRUGGLE barring a LaMelo Ball 40 points per game season. The Donavan Mitchell trade holds little to no weight for Charlotte, in what's sure to be a long season down in North Carolina.
Chicago Bulls: I look to the Bulls to finish ahead of last year's 6th seed with the most important factor being the health of guards Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball. The Bulls were significantly better with these guys healthy, sitting upon the top of the Eastern Conference until they went down with injuries resulting in 35 games played for Ball and 41 for Caruso. Those numbers have to increase for Chicago's sake, I believe they're close with the Cavaliers all season in the standings.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Everything, this means everything for Cleveland. They finally have a Superstar level talent that doesn't have the name LeBron James on his birth certificate. The Cavs have a chance to do something they haven't done without James, have a major impact on the league. With the emergence of Darius Garland, they were instantly transformed into (on paper) a top 5? maybe, guard tandem in the league. Personally, I believe this move will have a ripple affect on the league, potentially setting up LeBron's THIRD stint in Cleveland. I'm not a betting man (oh wait yes I am) but I'd say ESPN reporter and diehard Cavs fan Brian Windhorst just wet himself a little.
Dallas Mavericks: I'm sure Mavericks star Luka Dončić would have loved teaming up with somebody in the likes of Donavan Mitchell but unfortunately that won't be the case. Dončić will have claw his way through the Western Conference on what seems like his own. While new acquisitions Christian Wood (via trade) and (signing) Javale McGee will be useful pieces, the loss of guard Jalen Brunson to the Knicks will prove to be costly as the Mavs will be watching the NBA Finals from home.
Denver Nuggets: The Mitchell trade won't be as impactful on Western Conference teams, however this opens another spot up top with the Jazz headed into a rebuild. This spot seems perfectly suited for Denver, with MVP Nikola Jokić and the long awaited return of point guard Jamal Murray and forward Michael Porter Jr. the Nuggets are poised for a fantastic year. Let's just hope they can manage to make it out of the first round.
Detroit Pistons: One of the most impacted teams by the Donavan Mitchell trade are the rival Detroit Pistons, they play in the stacked Central Division alongside the Cavaliers, Bucks, Bulls, and the Pacers. Three out of five will most likely be in the playoffs, and I don't see the Pistons as one of those teams. That's 12 games against what I presume to be top 5 Eastern Conference production, another long and growing pain filled season in 'The D'.
Golden State Warriors: Just one less team in their way, thats all the Warriors can be thinking. Coming off their 4th NBA Championship in 8 seasons, the thing the Warriors should be worried about? Balancing their absurdly expensive team, Warriors Governor (Owner is no longer the title) Joe Lacob already stated publicly that he wasn't willing to dip too far into the luxury tax. This can lead to the loss of Draymond Green or Klay Thompson, which goes against 2022 Finals MVP Stephen Curry's wishes. We could be in for some fire works in San Francisco.
Houston Rockets: The Rockets are still a few years away from even competing for a playoff spot, so to put it plainly the impact of this trade won't be known until future draft lotteries. Draft position is everything for bad teams in middling markets. That seems to be the case for the Houston Rockets.
Indiana Pacers: Similar to the previous team on this list, it will be a few years until we see the Indiana Pacers as a viable playoff team. However being in the Cavaliers division gives them 3-4 more losses than they might have had. I do look to rookie wing Bennedict Mathurin to provide good defensive production, so who knows, maybe he could end up being 'The Mitchell Stopper.'
Los Angeles Clippers: One of my favorites to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals, Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has proven time in and time out that if he's healthy he can ball out on anybody. That's the type of player you need to have if you want to win an NBA Championship. Pair that with a few vintage Paul George performances and a return to a sliver of production from John Wall, and they can get it done. With the Jazz no longer standing in their way, I can see them playing basketball in June.
Los Angeles Lakers: What are we going to do with these Lakers. It has been two full seasons since we last saw the 'Lake Show' hoist the Larry O'Brien. With Utah out of the picture, there's a lane back to prominence. Trade, cut, or believe in Russell Westbrook and commit to one. Believe it or not a player doesn't play too well with coaches and fans breathing down his neck. There's a path to the playoffs, I just don't think that leads to a title this season.
Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies can realistically win the Western Conference, granted they need Ja Morant's efficiency to improve. The Jazz shipping out Rudy Gobert and Donavan Mitchell means a traditional top spot is available. I look to Memphis to host a multitude of home playoff games this season barring any sort of injury.
Miami Heat: It's no secret that the Heat were in talks to pick up Mitchell, and the Cavs getting him could be detrimental for Jimmy Butler and company. The Cavaliers could be looking at a top seed in the postseason and if they get there, their speedy backcourt could be crucial to Miami's defense. Yes, Jimmy Butler is willing to and capable of guarding basically anybody in the league and that could be the key to defeating Cleveland in a potential playoff matchup.
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't scared of anybody or anything, except maybe failure. His 62 point performance for Greece's World Cup Qualifier was proof enough that he is constantly improving his game in every facet. He was shooting lights out and converting at the free throw line. I look to the Bucks to redeem themselves with a Finals appearance this season, whether Donavan Mitchell was in Cleveland or not.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Not necessarily the Mitchell trade that affected Minnesota as much as the Rudy Gobert trade which saw a historic haul for the Jazz of five players and five first round picks. The Wolves will be looking to build on their play-in win last season and actually make the playoffs! Something much more likely with the Jazz blowing up their roster and sending Gobert to chilly Minnesota.
New Orleans Pelicans: With the return of Zion Williamson, the Pelicans should be looking pretty solid to start the season and with multiple teams that were on the outside looking in from last year vying for a playoff spot, the Pelicans look golden. Brandon Ingram, C.J. McCollum, and Williamson will have a great season, and I'm leaning toward a 4-6 seed for New Orleans. Let's party like its Mardi Gras (stay out of the gumbo Zion).
New York Knicks: Arguably the biggest losers of the offseason were the New York Knicks. After adding former Dallas Maverick Jalen Brunson they set their sights on Donavan Mitchell and couldn't work out a deal with Jazz CEO Danny Ainge. The Knicks also lose positioning in the Eastern Conference, as a weak season for Julius Randle being the main culprit took them out of playoff contention, the Cavaliers addition of Mitchell will keep them out of it.
Oklahoma City Thunder: After losing rookie Chet Holmgren for the season things seem grim in Oklahoma City. The largest impact coming from Jazz trading Mitchell will be the tank battle for a shot at the number one overall pick who is presumed to be dominant French center Victor Wembanyama. Luguentz Dort may be a Most Improved Player candidate though!
Orlando Magic: While Paolo Banchero is more than likely going to be the front runner for Rookie of the Year, the Magic won't be anything special this season, and the Mitchell trade may actually have the least impact on Orlando as it does any other team in the league this season. My expectations are low, so who knows maybe they'll surprise me.
Philadelphia 76ers: The time has come, I think the Philadelphia 76ers will be jumped by yet another team, in the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 76ers are a great team, don't get it twisted but I see injury problems in their past, and I see those same issues in the future. James Harden needs to return MVP form for this team to reach their end goal of an NBA Championship.
Phoenix Suns: If anything, this helps the Suns by giving them one less good team in the Western Conference to compete with. With an aging Chris Paul, I believe this season could go one of two ways. Either Paul has another season of fighting injury and battling to stay on the court. Option two involves Phoenix finding a way to return to an NBA Finals court for what would be the second time in three years and battling for their franchises first NBA Championship.
Portland Trailblazers: Well Damian Lillard stuck to his word. He didn't run from the grind and what will he have to show for it? A 10 seed and a play-in appearance? He deserves better than what Portland has shown him. They shipped out his teammate and best friend C.J. McCollum to New Orleans last season and proceeded to draft Shaedon Sharpe who looked (no pun intended) sharp, up until he tore his labrum in summer league. Maybe the Jazz being bad will help Portland achieve a playoff spot, believe it or not I've been wrong before.
Sacramento Kings: Is it finally time for the Kings to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006? Potentially! There's finally a new opening in the playoff picture with the Jazz demolishing their squad. I see this as a big year for Sacramento, they drafted the most polished prospect with Keegan Murray with the fourth pick, acquired Domantas Sabonis (via trade) before the trade deadline to pair with veteran point guard De'Aaron Fox. The Kings could make waves this season, even if history says otherwise.
San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs will be bad this year, and there's not a doubt in my mind that they'll have those 14% odds for the number one pick. The only issue is you can't win every lottery, and for some you can't win any lottery. The competition with the Jazz for the first pick will be fun, but nothing to write home about. Wait, did I just write home about that?
Toronto Raptors: One of the teams most impacted by the Cavaliers getting Mitchell are the Raptors. That's because I see the Raptors finishing near the 5-6 seed and Cleveland in the 4-5 slots. I think Toronto will still be competitive with the Cavaliers, but I'm not confident in them taking on a lineup of Garland, Mitchell, Okoro, Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. I think Cleveland has all the capabilities of being a top defense again, but they need Mitchell to return to his plus-defending that he showed all of us back at Louisville.
Utah Jazz: Well it was fun while it lasted, the experiment is officially over. Can't win 'em all. The Jazz have effectively punted the ball miles away from the court for the next few seasons. They have to pray to the lottery gods for the opportunity at a number one pick. Barring a Colin Sexton breakout, I'm not expecting much out of them. Maybe they'll see Jarred Vanderbilt have a fantastical season becoming a number one option. A lot of this is hope for competitive basketball but nonetheless, Utah has a strong chance of staying in basketball purgatory until some of those draft picks start converting. Best of luck Utah, well maybe not?
Washington Wizards: This effectively means that the Wizards won't make the playoffs, with just another team to get beat up by and no real supporting cast for Bradley Beal. Things seem murky after giving Beal the super-max and he's surrounded by role players, let's face it he can't pull a LeBron and will a bad team to the Finals. Just another year of mediocrity in Washington D.C.