Rudy Gobert on Donovan Mitchell: ‘He’s one of the best young players in his position’

The Jazz didn’t stop there and, on September 1st, the Mitchell trade was announced. Utah got back Lauri Markkanen, plus Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji and three Draft picks. “That’s what Danny Ainge decided to do,” Gobert said to Eurohoops. “Sometimes you always have to explore all different options. That’s what they did. Time will tell if it was good or not. I think he definitely did a great job in getting as many assets as possible. ” -via EuroHoops.net / September 5, 2022

Hungary plays a great first half and tries to come back in the last minutes of the game in Cologne, but France first pushes in the third quarter (25-14) and then keeps its nerves steady, winning 78-74 thanks to a great display by Rudy Gobert: 15 points and 9 rebounds, with 6/9 from the field. -via EuroHoops.net / September 4, 2022

The new Minnesota Timberwolves player had his best EuroBasket 2022 performance so far, leading his team to the final victory. He was joined by Evan Fournier (12 p., 5 a.) and by the other two French bigs, Vincent Poirier (10 p., 5 r.) and Guerschon Yabusele (17 p., 6/8 FG, 4/4 FT). -via EuroHoops.net / September 4, 2022

Apparently, though, the Knicks’ failed trade pursuit could have had nothing to do with their offer but rather more on the Jazz’s stance about where to move Mitchell. According to Ric Bucher of Fox Sports, some Utah officials were not happy that the All-Star guard wanted out, so they sent him to the Cavs in what they view as a “payback” instead of helping him fulfill a dream of playing for his hometown team in New York. -via Clutch Points / September 5, 2022

The main negotiator in the Knicks-Jazz talks on New York’s side was Gersson Rosas, who was let go by the Timberwolves for his part in a reportedly dysfunctional front office that included his relationship with a team employee. Rosas was hired as a consultant by the Knicks in February but took control of the Mitchell talks because of his relationship with Jazz general manager Justin Zanik. -via Boston Globe / September 4, 2022

Rose apparently trusted Rosas with the negotiations, and it became obvious over the past few weeks that the Knicks were in the driver’s seat to acquire Mitchell, a New York native who wanted to play for the Knicks. It became unclear, however, how many assets the Knicks were willing to relinquish for Mitchell. -via Boston Globe / September 4, 2022