Donovan Mitchell traded to Cavs megathread

[Xiao Yao You]

I just worry about Mitchell and Garland not getting along. Stepping on each other's toes. Garland is probably, already, concerned about how much Mitchell is going to eat into his stats and whether or not he can still make the All-Star team with Mitchell next to him. Mitchell will show up, shoot a lot, be an all-star, and maybe Garland is left on the outside looking in, and then it's only a matter of time before that partnership ends.

What if Garland is the all star and not Mitchell?

[WhiteKyrie]

They should be aiming higher than that. Depends on how much of a leap Ant takes

How highly do you think of this clown? You act like he’s a top five player in the league

[Xiao Yao You]

How highly do you think of this clown? You act like he’s a top five player in the league

Ant could be

[bladefd]

Ant could be

Anthony Edwards top 5 player? Not even close yet. He would be lucky to be in the top 30, which he probably is without looking into it.

[Sportal]

Anthony Edwards top 5 player? Not even close yet. He would be lucky to be in the top 30, which he probably is without looking into it.

He said he could be, could... Can you read properly or nah? Could be... In the future, has the potential to be.

[bluechox2]

also mobley cant get a rookie max deal now that Mitchell is on the team...so hes gonna wanna get out before is extension

[Xiao Yao You]

also mobley cant get a rookie max deal now that Mitchell is on the team...so hes gonna wanna get out before is extension

He can't get it in the final season of his deal. He can still get it in the off season when he becomes a restricted free agent

[bison]

[Xiao Yao You]

hopefully Gay is on another team soon. He certainly won't be taking minutes away from their young guys

[Xiao Yao You]

https://basketball.realgm.com/analys...ibe-Disruption

In the 2022 playoffs, Donovan Mitchell played defense about as badly as an NBA player can. Dallas Mavericks guards of varying skill levels loved this, as they were able to get into the lane at will, and cause 101-level defensive breakdowns that made for easy passes and open threes. Rudy Gobert, a three-time Defensive Player of The Year, became helpless in this situation, scrambling to cover up mistakes that are too large to actually fix; as the truism goes, any defense is only as good as its weakest member. And Mitchell, with his sub-turnstile presence on the perimeter, was as weak as it gets.

someone paying attention

The best possible explanation for this memorably awful effort is also the most plausible one: Mitchell was doing it on purpose. After a season of loud rumors about the dissolution of his and Gobert’s already fraught relationship, the fifth-year All-Star appeared to be done with the all-important task of trying, in Utah. The postseason, whatever your emotional circumstances may be, is a pretty conspicuous place to give up so visibly, but Mitchell’s doing so didn’t seem to negatively impact his trade value just a few months later. The Cleveland Cavaliers, outbidding the New York Knicks, have acquired him, and added his dynamic scoring skills to arguably the best young core in the sport.

he hasn't ever attempted to play D so it was nothing new. He was awful good luck Cavs!

[PerkinsFor3]

I really like this trade for both teams. Cavs are familiair with putting all their draft assets on the table, and basically Stepien'd themselves again with the 3 unprotected picks and 2 swaps being traded. Still, I like the risk they took, and it should be praised, unlike teams such as the Hornets who are mostly stuck in mediocracy for ages because they don't make moves, really.

For the Jazz: amazing haul. We've all talked about the picks a lot. Those are obvious assets, especially considering it might be realistic to expect Mitchell to bounce once his contract is up. I also like the players included.

Sexton signed with the Jazz on a very reasonable number. He's unproven, but he has some upside and if he's put in the right position, I very much doubt he wouldn't be able to come close to what we've seen from Mitchell. Maybe even a bit more efficient scoring?

Lauri is what he is (even though he Super Suomi'd in Eurobasket), but seems like he's a decent trading piece for some teams - I bet the Wizards like him with their weird front court build.

I'm probably most excited about Ochai Agbaji. I have the feeling he could beomce another Kendall Gill-like player. Their college numbers (although it's hard to compare #'s for players from such different eras), here's a stab at it:

Kendall Gill: 4 year college career @ Illinois, solid to great defender, 6-5 around 200 lbs. 20/5/3.5 with 2.2 stl and almost a three. 50/35/78 shooting splits.

Ochai Agbaji: 4 year college career @ Kansas, solid defender, 6-5 around 200 lbs. 19/5/1.6 with 0.9 stl and 2.6 threes. 48/41/74 shooting splits.

That type of player could be a fit on almost any good team.

Sexton, Agbaiji and then the results of future picks could jump start the Jazz rebuild really quickly. I'm curious to see if Ainge takes the Championship road (aggregate picks/young assets for stars in a trade) or the current Celtics road (build a well-balanced roster with good picks.