Experts Don't Blame Donovan Mitchell If He Wants to Leave Jazz After Loss to Mavs

Erin WalshApril 29, 2022

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 28: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz warms up before Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 28, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

The Utah Jazz were eliminated from the 2022 NBA playoffs with a 98-96 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 of their first-round series on Thursday at Vivint Arena despite a strong showing from Donovan Mitchell.

The veteran guard finished the loss with 23 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and one block. It was his fifth game of the series with at least 23 points, but his teammates did little to support him, and now people won't blame him if he wants to leave the Jazz this summer.

Stephen A Smith @stephenasmith
An I’ll-advised shot by Boggy for <a href="https://twitter.com/utahjazz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@utahjazz</a>. A travel by Conley. A wide-open 3 allowed to Finney-Smith and a wide, wide open miss by Boggy to end. The <a href="https://twitter.com/utahjazz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@utahjazz</a> should be done with this group. And I don’t blame <a href="https://twitter.com/spidadmitchell?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@spidadmitchell</a> if he wants out. No surprise. Just a damn shame!

Fun Guy @FunGuyBurner
Bojan realizing Donovan Mitchell is gone because he missed one shot <a href="https://t.co/uAfyLPScT5">pic.twitter.com/uAfyLPScT5</a>

GaryTheSnowman @gary_snowman
These two shots are gonna be the reason why donovan mitchell is gonna leave the jazz <a href="https://t.co/nIUln4FVHG">pic.twitter.com/nIUln4FVHG</a>

Jay Shah @TheJayShah3
Donovan Mitchell heading to the Jazz front office to request a trade:<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jazz?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jazz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mavs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mavs</a> <br> <a href="https://t.co/2adNmltdLP">pic.twitter.com/2adNmltdLP</a>

Billy Reinhardt @BillyReinhardt
The Jazz were built without any top five picks. Had great draft hits on Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. Build a good team. They have a tremendous coach in Quin Snyder.<br><br>They shouldn’t be slandered for not being good enough. That core has just run its course. Time to retool.

Ethan @islandboiii_
Donovan Mitchell needs to request a trade immediately

Wemar⁵ @HappySpursFan
Donovan Mitchell be going through it every year <a href="https://t.co/TXMrMjVb0X">pic.twitter.com/TXMrMjVb0X</a>

Complex Sports @ComplexSports
Knicks fans to Donovan Mitchell <a href="https://t.co/oercl6Ch4q">pic.twitter.com/oercl6Ch4q</a>

BD @Bardya_D
Mavs played some horrendous basketball tonight, but them boys at Utah are finished. Get Donovan Mitchell outta there asap🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

shafman @shafic_osman
Lakers should make a trade for Donovan Mitchell. No way he wants to stay in Utah

Maya Akilah @MayaLikeAngelou
Donovan Mitchell gotta get outta there.

Mitchell has been linked in trade rumors for a while now. An Eastern Conference scout told Ric Bucher of Fox Sports in January that the Jazz were "a first-round exit from Donovan being in New York." And now that's a little closer to becoming reality.

Mitchell told Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports in February that he was "happy right now" when asked about his future with the Jazz. Considering they were eliminated in the first round for the third time in the last four seasons, his thoughts could have changed.

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