After Donovan Mitchell was traded from the Utah Jazz, there was a notion that Utah was determined to not trade Mitchell to the New York Knicks. Jazz GM Justin Zanik refuted that idea by saying Mitchell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers because the Cavs stepped up.
“It was the best offer,” Zanik said. “I think for them, they saw an opportunity to add to their team and open up a window with Donovan and a young group, I think they are going to be very good. And, you know, to get a good return, you have to give up something good as well. They certainly gave up a lot.”
Zanik also touched on Utah being in trade talks for the remaining veterans on their roster including Bojan Bogdanovic, Mike Conley and Rudy Gay. “Those conversations continue to evolve, we’ve continued to be in touch with them directly and their representation,” Zanik said. “Obviously there’s been a lot of change this summer, so it’s natural for us to have those conversations.”