Best and worst landing spots for Durant, Irving and Mitchell from a Phoenix Suns’ perspective
The best and worst landing spots for Donovan Mitchell from a Phoenix Suns’ perspective
If a 25-year-old, three-time All-Star is available on the trade market, you best believe there’ll be plenty of teams interested in landing him. Mitchell should be about to enter the prime of his career, and he’s already had some massive playoff performances to prove his worth as a big time performer.
He may be a career 23.9 point per game scorer, but most recognize Mitchell as the second or third best player on a championship team. That’s the whole reason he’s likely to be moved – that Utah don’t believe he’s ‘the guy’ to build around.
Best Case: Stays at the Utah Jazz or traded to the New York Knicks
Although it may be unlikely, Phoenix’s best case for Mitchell is that he spends another season at the Jazz. This is still possible given Danny Ainge won’t settle for anything less than a King’s ransom for his best player.
Even with Mitchell, most expect Utah to fall out of the playoff mix. Sure, they’d be capable of springing upsets against top teams, but Phoenix aren’t going to see the Jazz as a genuine contender in the same echelon as them.
If Mitchell does get moved, it’s likely to be to the New York Knicks. This would be a good result for the Suns – it takes an All-Star out of the conference and to a team that Phoenix would still be considered better than.
Worst Case: Traded to another team in the West or moved to an Eastern Conference contender (Miami Heat)
The last thing Phoenix want is for Mitchell to be traded to another team in the West, particular when that team is garnering playoff expectations. Who that could be remains to be seen, but even if it were a lowly Pacific rival like the Sacramento Kings, that would be rather annoying for the Suns.
If he does get traded East, then Mitchell going to a top-tier contender like the Miami Heat would be less than ideal. Odds suggest Phoenix have a better shot at the title than the Heat, but that would likely change should Mitchell form a trio with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.