Only A Title Might Satisfy Mitchell, Justify Jazz Spending

First in the West last year, the Jazz wasted another year of greatness from Donovan Mitchell with a disappointing postseason. 

Expectations are higher than ever — Mitchell is enjoying his most efficient season, and the Jazz allocated a ton of money to role players capable of winning a title. 

Will anything less convince him to stay in Salt Lake?

According to Sports Illustrated, league executives are “bracing” for the 25-year-old to demand out of Utah.

• Mitchell is in the first year of a five-year, $163 million max contract.
• Utah made Rudy Gobert the highest-paid center in NBA history (five years, $205M). 
• The Jazz spent big on role players Mike Conley ($21M), Bojan Bogdanovic ($18.7M), and Jordan Clarkson ($12.4M).
• They traded fan favorite Joe Ingles, which saved $11 million in luxury taxes.

Mitchell, who finished with 37 points and 10 assists Wednesday, is shooting 45.8% this season and averaging 29 points on 49.4% shooting during the streak. 

Utah (39-22) is in a good place for now, winning nine of its last 10 and sitting fourth in the West.  

But Mitchell is clearly not optimistic for his future in Utah, claiming on Jan. 10 that the Jazz — the seventh-favorite (+1700*) — are “fooling” themselves if they aspire to win a championship.