Is it Time for the Jazz to Blow it Up?
In music, the term “da capo” means to go back to the beginning of a piece. Some may be placed after the first two stanzas, while others may be entrenched two or three pages into the sheet music. Wherever it is, every musician knows that as soon as they see the da capo, they know it’s time to start from scratch and return to the top.
Therefore, if jazz musicians know when to go back to the beginning, Jazz fans should know it too. And based on their “surprising” first-round exit and the team’s recent history of postseason mediocrity, it is time for Utah to shake things up in a major way this offseason.
Now the question is, simply, how?
The Jazz have all the tools they need to be sellers in the offseason, with five players making more than $10 million next year and a decent bit of draft capital in the next few years, so there are several routes they could take when it comes to trades. Their best assets are the stars, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, and fans have been clamoring for one or both to be dealt so they can start over.
Recently, The Athletic’s Tony Jones reported that the Jazz are committed to keeping Mitchell around, which has led to Gobert trade rumors skyrocketing.
While other fans have begged Mitchell to request a trade (oftentimes to their favorite team), I think that the Jazz are doing the right thing and should really commit to Donovan Mitchell. Their front office has already taken steps to ensure he is comfortable in Utah, so don’t expect them to trade him anytime soon. Moving on from Gobert, Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, and Bojan Bogdanovic could get them great returns that can set them up for a better future than they have right now.
Starting with Gobert, rumors have included him being shipped off to Golden State in a deal around Andrew Wiggins, according to Brian Windhorst on his Hoop Collective Podcast. The Dallas Mavericks — the team that eliminated Utah in the first round — had been eyeing the three-time DPOY in late March, reportedly having interest in him if the Jazz made him available. Both of these destinations already have established, well-run offenses, so adding a defensive anchor like Gobert makes sense.
Though there are no concrete rumors, it makes sense for the Jazz to move on from Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Jordan Clarkson. Conley and Bogdanovic — who are 34 and 33-years old, respectively — are still valuable role players who can help a young playoff team or a team striving to be there. Clarkson, though oftentimes seen as a one-dimensional player, is a valuable combo guard to any team that acquires him. The Jazz could theoretically receive young players and picks in return for these three, which are great assets to start anew and build around Donovan Mitchell.
If the Jazz want to get out of playoff purgatory, some major moves are in order. Though I don’t believe Utah should tank, they should at least surround Mitchell with younger talent capable of stepping up when needed and stopping the old narratives. Then, and only then, will the Jazz improve their championship chances.
