Jazz Rumors: Donovan Mitchell Questioned Plan After Rudy Gobert, Royce O'Neale Trades

The Utah Jazz traded away All-Star center Rudy Gobert and starting small forward Royce O' Neale.

Mitchell asked Jazz higher-ups what their plan was after trading away two key players.

The Jazz decision-makers, including the CEO of basketball operations Danny Ainge, felt the trades were in the long-term best interests of the franchise.

The Jazz agreed to trade Gobert to Minnesota for four first-round picks, three of which are protected, as well as Jarred Commodore and Patrick Beverley, in exchange for a first-round pick in 2020.

While the Jazz haven't put Mitchell on the trade block, Windhorst thinks they have a price and would be willing to trade their franchise cornerstone if the offer is good enough.

Mitchell was the 13th overall pick in the NBA draft and has become a star. In each of the past three seasons, he has been named an All-Star.

Mitchell had a career-high 5.3 assists, 3.5 three-pointers made and 1.5 steals last season. He shot 44.8% from the field and 35.3% from beyond the line.

During Mitchell's tenure, the Jazz have never missed the playoffs, but they have never made it past the second round.

Gobert is a three-time All-Star and three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year who won his first rebound title last season.

There is no obvious replacement for Gobert on the roster, leaving the Jazz with a gaping hole in the middle.

In his career, O'Neale averaged 7.4 points, 4.8 rebound, 2.5 assists, 1.5 three-pointers made and 1.1 steals per game in 77 starts, while shooting 45.3% from the field.

The Jazz received a lot of role players in the Gobert trade, so they may be able to replace O' Neale by committee, but they have to be considered a worse team than they were last season.

Utah has more than enough assets to make trades before the start of the 2022-23 season and build around Mitchell, but for now it's fair for him to wonder if the Jazz are planning on entering a rebuild.