How an Early Donovan Mitchell Playoff Exit Affects Jazz Draft Outlook
With Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers on the verge of being bounced out of the first round of the NBA playoffs, it’s a good time for Utah Jazz fans to take a peek at the draft picks acquired in the blockbuster trade that took place last summer.
Now, not to gloat, but would an early Cavs exit change the trajectory of where the first-round picks Utah acquired in the Mitchell exchange? Let’s revisit the selections in Utah’s possession.
- 2025 first-round pick (unprotected)
- 2027 first-round pick (unprotected)
- 2029 first-round pick (unprotected)
- 2026 pick swap
- 2028 pick swap
First, Jazz CEO Danny Ainge was smart to push the picks in an era where Mitchell could possibly be playing in a different uniform. The former Jazzman will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025, but if we’re being honest, he might be gone before then.
The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Jazz fans know this script all too well.
Mitchell will be in control of the narrative in 2025 with a good shot of bolting for the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, or Brooklyn Nets. That’s if he’s not traded when/if the Cavaliers see the writing on the wall. This bodes well for Jazz fans down the road, especially with Cleveland not exactly being a destination that’s going to draw a superstar in free agency.
However, the Cavaliers still have some nice pieces in place moving forward. Cleveland controls point guard Darius Garland’s contract through the 2027-28 season. Also, Evan Mobley will most likely be extended, making him a Cavalier during the life of the picks owned by Utah.
Cleveland’s cap situation isn’t great, but that can be expected for a club with top-tier talent up and down the roster. With the assumption that Mitchell’s contract won’t be on the books post-2025, there will be enough money to re-sign Mobley and acquire a key player or two.
As for new young talent, adding contributors through the draft will be a tall task. The Cavaliers mortgaged their future in acquiring Mitchell and Caris LeVert from the Indiana Pacers. As a result, Cleveland is in possession of only one first-round pick (2024) through 2029. This could change if the Cavaliers need to cut their losses with Mitchell before his free agency year.
Bottom Line
Despite the Cavaliers' underwhelming performance in the playoffs so far, this isn’t a team that’s free-falling to the lottery anytime soon. As long as Mobley and Garland are rostered, the Cavaliers will be in the playoff conversation in the foreseeable future, whether Mitchell stays or goes.
Assuming Cleveland can keep a clean bill of health, the only pick Utah gleaned in the Mitchell trade that presently has lottery potential is in 2029.
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