“I Don’t Know If He’s There Long Term”: Former NBA Player Predicts Trouble for Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz has a young superstar in Donovan Mitchell. The explosive shooting guard may be undersized, but is one of the most explosive players in the league. He can attack the rim with centers defending him, and can also hurt you from the three-point line. His defense is still developing, but he has a fair amount of experience under his belt. He has made runs in the play-off before and his numbers keep improving every year.

Mitchell was a part of the 2017 Draft with the likes of Jayson Tatum, Lonzo Ball, and Bam Adebayo. Tatum, Adebayo, and Mitchell were all-stars this year, showing that they may have a very high ceiling. However, NBA analyst Jalen Rose doesn’t see Mitchell planning a future in Utah as he can for Tatum in Boston or Bam in Miami.

Rose said, “When I look at the 2017 Draft, the other max caliber players are Jayson Tatum and Bam Adebayo. I see their futures with those teams. I don’t necessarily see that with Donovan Mitchell in Utah.”

Rose added, “Don’t be surprised when the time is for all these guys to get extensions, he (Mitchell) doesn’t sign one. I don’t know if he’s there long term to be their best player.”

Utah Jazz and the future of ‘Spida’ Mitchell

Donovan’s relationship with Utah has deteriorated in the last few months. Him getting COVID-19 because of teammate Rudy Gobert must have been a hard experience to reconcile with. However, he is determined to put those issues aside and lead the Jazz into a deep playoff run. They lost their last game to the Los Angeles Lakers, courtesy of a 42 point game by Anthony Davis.

Utah is at a crossroads with their superstar duo. Both Gobert and Mitchell are up for new contracts soon. Gobert will be looking for the super-max, but Utah may not agree to spend that much money on a defensive center with a wooden offense. Mitchell would be cheaper, as he will sign his rookie extension. But, would Spida even want to stay in Utah? The team cannot attract free-agents and seems to have taken a step back with the expensive Mike Conley contract.

Utah can choose to match any offer-sheets that Donovan may sign, but will they really go out of their way to keep a player that doesn’t plan a future with them?

SOURCE: ESPN