The 2022 offseason will be the most important of Donovan Mitchell‘s career so far, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic. As Jones writes, the Jazz‘s first-round loss to Dallas showed that Mitchell needs to become more stout defensively and must continue to improve his decision-making with the ball in his hands.
While Mitchell had another strong season in 2021/22, the Jazz will need him to take one more leap on both ends of the courts if they want to become true title contenders, says Jones, noting that the 25-year-old himself seems to recognize as much.
“I wasn’t where I wanted to be this year,” Mitchell said after Utah’s season ended. “And there were times this year when the ball rolled out that we didn’t show that we wanted to be a team with championship aspirations. … I’m looking forward to working on my game all summer, and getting into the gym. I’m looking forward to putting the work in.”
Here’s more out of Utah:
- After helping Baylor win the national championship in 2021, Jared Butler didn’t have much of a role for the Jazz as a rookie, averaging 3.8 PPG and 1.5 APG in 42 games (8.6 MPG). However, Butler left his exit meeting with the team feeling optimistic that he’ll have more opportunities in 2022/23, writes Sarah Todd of The Deseret News.
- Jazz head coach Quin Snyder underwent hip replacement surgery this week, per the team (Twitter link via Tim MacMahon of ESPN). The procedure had originally been set for June, but Snyder decided to get it done sooner rather than later.
- Ryan Kostecka of UtahJazz.com takes a look at what’s next for some of Utah’s reserves, including Nickeil Alexander-Walker and restricted free agents like Eric Paschall and Trent Forrest. Paschall said his offseason goal is to improve his outside shooting. “I would love to become a 40% three-point shooter,” said the forward, who made 37.0% of his threes in 2021/22 after hitting just 30.1% in his first two NBA seasons.
I’m a fan of Trent Forrest and hope he improved his outside shot to go with the rest of his nice game. I like his aggressiveness going to the basket.
On the other hand I doubt Eric Paschall makes the team next year.
IDK, he may stick around in a Thanasis Antetokounmpo type role as he is Mitchell’s best friend.
Yes possibly but I think that was the favor for this last season. I don’t think it’s enough to carry him next year also. As a side note I’m in the minority in believing that the Jazz trade Donovan Mitchell this summer.
The Jazz could trade everyone on the roster. The trick is figuring first what kind of identity the front office wants the team to be. Starts with the coach.
I’m guessing that’s why Snyder got the surgery right away. Probably can’t decide to return or take a year off until he knows what kind of shape his body will be in for next year. He’ll be able to decide sooner and then the Jazz will know if they need to replace him or not.
In the meantime, I expect the Jazz will take all offers and then make decisions with whom ever the coach ends up being. Hopefully, Snyder will decide sooner than later.
The Jazz should trade everyone but Clarkson on the roster :D