The NBA is all about stars. If you don’t have them, you can forget about competing for the NBA championship.
Sure, other factors count. Team chemistry matters. Players that can’t play with each other, no matter how talented, won’t win. Role players are key too. If the other players on your roster don’t complement your stars, your star players won’t be maximized.
Still, top-end counts above all else. This summer, two top-end players are dominating the discourse in Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell.
Teams will pay a hefty price to land either. With that said, one will be more expensive than the other. The Toronto Raptors have been frequently linked to Durant.
On the other hand, it’s hard to identify a logical trade that nets them the star forward that doesn’t have them moving Scottie Barnes. Meanwhile, the organization appears unwilling to do so.
They may not have to in order to acquire Mitchell. Here’s a deal that has them doing exactly that.
Utah Jazz Receive: F OG Anunoby, G/F Gary Trent Jr., 2023 1st Round Pick (TOR), 2025 1st Round Pick (TOR), 2027 1st Round Pick (TOR), 2029 1st Round Pick (TOR)
Toronto Raptors Receive: G Donovan Mitchell
Of course, the Utah Jazz have already brokered a blockbuster trade this summer. In fact, that trade is one of the main reasons it’s widely assumed that Mitchell could be available.