West Notes: Jazz, Donovan Mitchell, Warriors, Nuggets

Jazz

There’s an “overwhelming feeling” around the NBA that Donovan Mitchell would leave the Jazz in free agency if he’s not traded before then, per Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune.

Mitchell, of course, has strongly been linked to the Knicks, who apparently would like to add him to recently signed Jalen Brunson in the backcourt. The Heat and Nets are also said to be interested, among others.

Right now, though, it appears talks with the Knicks have stalled and the Jazz may be exploring other options. But the fact Mitchell would supposedly seek out a larger market seems to be a big reason why the Jazz are looking to move him.

Either way, Mitchell is likely to be traded before the start of the season, relayed Sarah Todd of the Deseret News. A third team could get involved to help facilitate a Mitchell deal with the Knicks, Todd added.

Warriors

Coach Steve Kerr is happy with the Warriors’ offseason moves, which included signing guard Donte DiVincenzo and JaMychal Green. Those two presumably will help replace the losses of Gary Payton II (Trail Blazers) and Otto Porter (Raptors).

“Donte is a perfect fit for the way we play,” Kerr said, via Anthony Slater of The Athletic. “The ball movement, the cutting. He’s a great cutter. He’s a really good spot-up shooter. He’s a good passer on the move. He’s not just a spot-up shooter. He’s a secondary playmaker. Pretty bouncy, but with a great feel for the game. He’s gonna fit right in.”

Meanwhile, Green is expected to give the Warriors some versatility in the frontcourt off the bench.

“He’s capable of sort of playing either role, the four or the five,” Kerr said. “If he’s playing with Draymond (Green), he can stretch the floor and can guard the five, while Draymond guards the four. He gives us frontcourt flexibility. I have a lot of confidence he’ll shoot the ball well. Players generally shoot the ball better with us, I think. That’s not always true. But the space that Steph and Klay provide them along with Draymond’s passing. You saw it with Otto and Gary last year. I think JaMychal will love playing with our guys.”

Nuggets

Back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic is about to join the Serbian national team for the first time in three years when it takes part in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifying games.

“I feel great, similar to every time I reunite with these guys. I just met some of them,” Jokic said ahead of Serbia’s training camp, via Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops. “We are preparing, we just started and we will see how far we can go. Up first are the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers and the goal of helping Serbia qualify to the World Cup.”

Jokic last played for Serbia in 2019. The Serbs will host Greece on August 25, before traveling to Turkey two days later.

“It is not an easy task. I mean, the World Cup Qualifiers are important. Then, we can talk about the EuroBasket,” Jokic said, via Askounis. “Every team will be aiming to win the tournament. So, we must take it one day at a time in practice and be careful.”

• Michael Porter Jr. is expected to return from a back injury at the start of 2022-23, and it will be interesting to see just how efficient he can be at full strength, wrote Kyle Berry of Fansided.