Northwest Notes: Mitchell, Gobert, Thunder, Branch, Timberwolves

May 25, 2022

Should the Jazz opt to break up their playoff core during the offseason, Eric Walden and Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune wonder what Utah GM Justin Zanik might be able to get for All-Stars Donovan Mitchell or Rudy Gobert on the trade market.

Walden and Larsen note that the Jazz own one of the NBA’s priciest rosters. The team lacks a pick in the 2022 draft, through which it could have theoretically added complementary young talent under team control. Utah has yet to get beyond the second round of the playoffs with its Mitchell-Gobert core.

The authors also express skepticism that offloading the contracts of expensive starters Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Royce O’Neale, or sixth man Jordan Clarkson. This leaves the pathway to improve the team without offloading Mitchell or Gobert fairly narrow.

There’s more out of the Northwest Division:

  • The Thunder could be targeting a variety of players with the No. 12 pick near the end of the 2022 draft lottery, writes Joe Mussatto of the Oklahoman. Mussatto previews the fits of several young prospects, including G League Ignite guard Dyson Daniels, Baylor forward Jeremy Sochan, Memphis center Jalen Duren, and more.
  • The Trail Blazers are reshaping their front office during the offseason. Jason Quick of The Athletic reports that assistant GM Bill Branch has been let go by Portland. Branch had been with the Trail Blazers since 2010. This latest move continues a brain trust overhaul that began in December 2021.
  • Tulsa forward Jeriah Horne, St. John’s wing Julian Champagnie and Alabama guard JD Davison number among the NBA hopefuls who have been brought in to work out for the Timberwolves as Minnesota prepares for the 2022 draft, per Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News (Twitter video links). The Timberwolves possess the Nos. 19, 40, 48, and 50 picks this year.