Los Angeles Lakers: There is zero chance of a Donovan Mitchell trade

Los Angeles Lakers fans are hoping that the latest NBA trade rumors could benefit their team by adding a third superstar to the roster in the upcoming offseason, something that did not seem all that plausible just a few weeks ago.

Utah Jazz superstar Donovan Mitchell has become the latest victim of the NBA trade rumors, stemming from a real-life incident that should not be taken lightly and has instead been spun into something to create a trade narrative.

Mitchell’s relationship with Jazz center Rudy Gobert is reportedly unsalvagable after the coronavirus incident in which both players tested positive. Gobert was the first player to test positive and admitted that he was reckless with his actions, leading to Mitchell’s positive test.

Both players are (thankfully) healthy and have overcome COVID-19, but it seemingly could have a major impact on the team. This has led to countless trade ideas for Mitchell and Gobert and a dream scenario where the Lakers somehow benefit from this and land a third superstar.

There is zero chance that Donovan Mitchell gets traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, in fact, there is zero chance he gets traded anywhere.

First, let’s break down why the Los Angeles Lakers will not be trading for Donovan Mitchell and there really is only one big reason — they do not have the assets to complete a trade.

Mitchell is a young superstar who is still on his rookie contract, so financially, the trade seemingly makes sense for the Lakers. They could trade for Mitchell and then utilize Bird Rights on both Anthony Davis and Mitchell to create a long-lasting superstar duo to even outlast LeBron James if needed.

Mitchell is only making $3.6 million, making this trade a lot easier to manage financially. However, the Lakers really only have two young valuable assets in Kyle Kuzma and Talen Horton-Tucker and that is not nearly enough to land Mitchell.

Sure, they could throw draft picks in the deal but the New Orleans Pelicans have already stripped the Lakers of their draft capital for the next several years and a pick in the high 20s is not going to intrigue the Jazz to trade Mitchell.

Plus, his contract being so low and getting his bird rights makes him even more valuable, so teams are going to be willing to offer more. If Mitchell were to get traded, it would not be surprising to see a team like the Atlanta Hawks trade a young asset as well as a pick in the top-five to land Mitchell. Cam Reddish and two first-round picks are better than what the Lakers can offer.

The biggest problem with these Donovan Mitchell trade rumors, though, is that there is zero percent chance that the Utah Jazz even trade the star shooting guard.

The first thing the Jazz are going to do is try and salvage this relationship. While the reports are not promising, the best healing factor for something like this is time and perhaps some more time to reflect can lead to Mitchell accepting a sincere apology from Gobert.

But even if that does not happen, there is no way the Jazz are going to trade Mitchell over Gobert. If the problem is just between these two, which is what the reports are saying, then it can be solved by dealing Gobert rather than the face of the franchise.

Sure, the team would take a hit defensively, but Mitchell is far more valuable to the Jazz not only now but in the future as well. Gobert’s contract is not too absurd ($23.4 million), so the Jazz could work out a trade where they get a decent role player in return as well as a protected pick so solve this problem.

It might be harder to trade a center in today’s NBA but some team is going to be interested in the defensive presence that Gobert brings to the table. The idea of him joining the Dallas Mavericks and creating a European big three is one of the most popular fan proposals.

The Los Angeles Lakers would not be in the Rudy Gobert trade market and they won’t be in the Donovan Mitchell one, either, as there will not be one. Sorry to rain on any parades.