Utah Jazz keeper Donovan Mitchell addresses ‘fake news’ in viral Twitter thread

The Donovan Mitchell saga came to a head this week when it came to the uniform the All-Star shooting guard will wear as the New Year approaches. Rumors spread like wildfire, but when the rubber met the road, there was nothing left to do.

Mitchell seemed to be having fun with the uncertainty with ex-teammate Eric Paschall and current Jazzman Jordan Clarkson with this exchange on Twitter.

The Utah Jazz could still keep Mitchell and move forward with a retooling. If that ends up being the case, who would be set to play a big role in Utah’s future and which players are still at risk of being ejected?

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Players safe in Utah

Jarred Vanderbilt

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jarred Vanderbilt (8) reacts with the crowd against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Target Center.

A player who has a skill set that every NBA team needs. At 6-foot-9, he can play center or forward and is under team control for two more years at a price tag of $4.5 million a year.

Simone Fontecchio

Italian player Simone Fontecchio (13) reacts after a three point field goal during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at Saitama Super Arena.

The Jazz have just signed the small 6ft 7in striker from Europe and he will get his chance. Fontecchio has the tools you need in the modern NBA.

He can shoot all three and, at his size, can play in a modern positionless basketball system. If you view his YouTube highlight reel, it looks like he might be exactly what the doctor ordered. We’ll see if it all translates to the NBA.

Leandro Bolmaro

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Leandro Bolmaro (9) and Houston Rockets guard Josh Christopher (9) at Target Center.

It has the size you want at the point or shooting guard. Bolmaro looked good in the Summer League and should have live representatives this year with the Jazz.

If he can improve his three-point shooting, he has the potential to be an NBA starter.

Could be processed

Bojan Bogdanovic

Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) and Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) speak during a time out during the second half against the Memphis Grizzles at FedExForum.

Bogdanovic has been a solid player for the Jazz but being on an expiring contract he has to leave. The Jazz should be able to reclaim a first-round pick from a contending team.

Mike Conley

Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) celebrates in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Arena.

The 6-foot-1 playmaker has a bad contract and could be difficult to move around. The Jazz need to get that money off the books, but may have to wait until the trade deadline or the next offseason to move it.

Don’t expect much in return.

Patrick Beverly

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley (22) signals his team against the Memphis Grizzlies in the third quarter in Game 1 of round three of the 2022 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.

At 34 and on an expiring contract, the former Timberwolf is not a good fit for what the Jazz are trying to accomplish. We know what he brings to the table and he would be a better fit for a team playing at the moment.

on the fence

Malik Beasley

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley (5) shoots a team record 11th three-pointer in a single game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the fourth quarter at Target Center.

Beasley’s contract is reasonable at around $15 million per season and the Jazz control his option year in 2023-24. He’s a proven player and the Jazz can see how he fits in before making a call.

Jordan Clarkson

Jordan Clarkson

The former NBA Sixth Man of the Year can still fill it. There are pros and cons to keeping Clarkson.

Pros being, he can score deep and is exactly what you want in a sixth man. He is also still under the control of the team for another two years with a reasonable contract.

Lesson ? It would block minutes for players who need reps to grow. Clarkson could go either way in a retool.

Ultimately, Jazz manager Danny Ainge will have the final say on what the future holds for Donovan Mitchell and his friends.

Stay tuned

Follow Patrick on Twitter @pbyrnesNBA.

Ada J. Kenney

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