Anthony Davis made waves across the NBA Monday when he requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans.
Davis, a perennial MVP candidate and arguably one of the five best players in the league, is the latest superstar in a recent string of big names to ask to be relocated before his next contract negotiations. The Pelicans will get a king’s ransom for Davis, and will likely move him before the Feb. 7 trade deadline.
With the deadline nearing and the potential for big names to be moved, here’s a ranking of the best tradable assets for the Jazz.
1. Donovan Mitchell
While ranked as the best tradable asset for the Jazz, Mitchell is about as close to a non-tradable asset as there is in the NBA. Outside of the league’s true superstars — LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and the aforementioned Davis — there’s nearly no opportunity for the Jazz to get equal return for a player like Mitchell.
Truthfully, the Jazz wouldn’t move Mitchell for Durant, Leonard or Davis, as each player could opt to leave the Jazz in the next six to 18 months. Additionally, James, Curry or Harden will not hit the trade market anytime soon. The Jazz are thrilled to have Mitchell on a rookie contract, and he’s almost guaranteed to stay under team control for the next six years.
2. Rudy Gobert
Gobert is the league’s best rim protector and truly has an incomparable effect on opposing offenses when he’s on the floor. Additionally, he’s an efficient offensive player and seems to enjoy living in Utah. The Jazz control his contract for the next two years at an expensive $25 million average, but he’s more than worth the money.
For the right deal, though, Gobert might be worth moving. Unless the Jazz want to audition for Davis for the next 18 months, they should be thrilled to have Gobert on the roster for as long as they can. So don’t expect Gobert to leave Utah anytime soon.
To read the rest of the list, click the link below.
Ranking the Jazz trade assets
