The Utah Jazz seem completely ready to embrace the fact that they will be rebuilding over the next few seasons. Over the last five years or so, the organization had placed its trust in the dynamic duo of Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
But season after season, the Jazz failed to show up when it mattered the most, the NBA playoffs. They would have a great regular season but failed to translate the same level of success in the postseason.
As a result, it was obvious that the organization finally decided to break up the duo. For some time, it was believed that the Jazz might not trade Donovan Mitchell and make him the face of the franchise. But the CEO of the Utah Jazz, Danny Ainge, was reportedly not convinced of the fact that Mitchell was the best player for that role.
That’s not where Ainge stopped. Just a few days back, Ainge made the claim that the Jazz players didn’t believe in each other last season. This was the reason why they didn’t perform well in the playoffs, according to the 63-year-old.
Donovan Mitchell Dismisses Danny Ainge’s Claims
Mitchell was recently officially unveiled as the player of the Cleveland Cavaliers. During the press conference, he was showered with praise from everyone, including the Cavs’ President of Basketball Operations, as he believes Spida is one of the best players in the league.
Mitchell also addressed some issues, and one of them was Ainge’s recent claims about the players of the Jazz not trusting each other last season.
Via ESPN:
“I don’t think we didn’t believe [in each other]. I said at the end of the season, don’t trade [Rudy Gobert]. Let’s figure this out, let’s do. And that didn’t happen. For him to say that after six months around the team, I disagree. But you know, at the end of the day, that’s his decision.”
Mitchell revealed that he asked Ainge not to trade Rudy Gobert, but that obviously didn’t happen.
Keeping this revelation in mind, it feels like Ainge had already made up his mind about breaking up the core of the team last season and starting the rebuilding process. Will Ainge rebuild the Jazz first? Or will Mitchell become an NBA champion first? It will be great to see this rivalry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtZjHahH85E
