The Utah Jazz have now parted ways with both Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. In the process, they have gained a significant amount of draft picks.
Utah’s front office, led by CEO and former Celtics executive Danny Ainge, was already one of the leaders in overall draft capital in their arsenal. But they have added to it by acquiring as much as they could from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Not only do they have a ton of draft picks in their cupboard but they also have the opportunity to add to that by continuing to clean out their roster.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski noted that Bojan Bogdanovic, Jordan Clarkson, and Mike Conley could all net more draft picks from contenders. Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt, both included in the trade for Gobert, could potentially get moved for more picks as well.
Utah still has coveted veteran trade asserts, including Bojan Bogdanovic, Jordan Clarkson and Mike Conley Jr. They'll approach an Oklahoma City-esque haul of draft assets once they're done dealing. Jazz consider Markkanen, Sexton and Agbaji keepers for their rebuilding roster.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 1, 2022
Additionally, the Jazz also landed two first-round picks from the 2022 NBA Draft by trading for Ochai Agbaji and Walker Kessler.
Agbaji, who won the national championship for Kansas, was a lottery pick selected by the Cavaliers. Kessler was selected at No. 22 overall before he eventually found his way to Utah.
But all things considered, the biggest win for the Jazz is how many picks they have between now and 2029. Here is a detailed breakdown of what it looks like so far:
2023
1. Utah
2. Minnesota (unprotected)
3. Houston, Brooklyn, or Philadelphia (least favorable)
The most important aspect of all the recent trades for Utah was to clear the roster of players that could help them win so that they are better positioned to tank for Victor Wembanyama.
However, the picks from the Timberwolves in exchange for Rudy Gobert will begin to convey next season. Meanwhile, the Jazz also acquired a first-round pick from Brooklyn for Royce O’Neale.
2024
Despite all of the draft picks coming to the Jazz, none of them are technically in 2024. Last season, before they anticipated blowing up the team, Utah agreed to trade their 2024 first-round to the Thunder to salary dump Derrick Favors.
2025
4. Utah*
5. Minnesota (unprotected)
6. Cleveland (unprotected)
Because Utah’s pick owed to Oklahoma City is protected 1-10, if the Jazz land a top-10 pick in 2024, they would keep the pick. In such a case, they would instead send their 2024 pick to OKC. That pick is also protected from 1-10.
2026
7. Minnesota or Cleveland or Utah (pick swap)
Utah agreed to pick swaps with both Minnesota and Cleveland in 2026. Essentially, this means that Utah will get to pick the best of the three picks between their own, Minnesota’s, or Cleveland’s.
Gobert and Mitchell both have a player option before their 2026 campaigns, so either could opt out and leave their respective teams by then if they do not sign extensions. Otherwise, this would be the last year of their current deals on their new rosters.
My initial thought is that Utah is relying on Donovan Mitchell possibly leaving Cleveland in 3 years.
For right now, this is a home run trade for Cleveland.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 1, 2022
2027
8. Utah
9. Minnesota (unprotected)
10. Cleveland (unprotected)
Utah has unprotected picks from Minnesota and Cleveland in 2027, which means they’re hoping that both teams fail to remain contenders this far in the future. By that point, Mitchell could have his eyes set on testing free agency and playing for his hometown Knicks while Gobert could be past his prime.
2028
11. Cleveland (pick swap)
The Jazz will have the right to swap picks with the Cavs in 2028.
2029
12. Utah
13. Cleveland (unprotected)
14. Minnesota (Protected 1-5)
Utah also has the right to Cleveland’s unprotected first-round pick in 2029, while acquiring a lightly protected pick from Minnesota as well.
