Boston Celtics: 3 reasons Mitchell is the preferred Utah Jazz trade target

Boston Celtics: 3 reasons Donovan Mitchell is the preferred trade target over Rudy Gobert

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 06: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Rudy Gobert #27 talk against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on January 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

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Boston Celtics (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) /

Team USA connection

Donovan Mitchell already has experience playing alongside members of the Boston Celtics from his time on the 2019 Team USA FIBA World Championship squad. While Gregg Popovich’s squad under-performed and they ultimately finished in just seventh place, the time spent playing together is invaluable.

We have seen players team up in the NBA after first suiting up together for Team USA. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant were teammates on the 2016 gold medal winning team, and before them it was LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh winning medals together that led to the formation of the dynastic “Big 3” in Miami.

Mitchell teamed up with a total of four Boston Celtics in his time on Team USA this past summer. He started games alongside Kemba Walker in the back-court while also sharing the floor with Jayson Tatum, who also was a starter before injuries forced him off the floor.

Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart were also part of Team USA, or as the Olympic C’s put it, “Team Shamrock”. With experience going to war with the team and practicing every day already in hand, Mitchell could be a seamless fit in green and white.

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