Jazz trade Mitchell to Cavs for package including Sexton
The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired three-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in exchange for Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, three unprotected first-round picks, and two pick swaps.
Sexton, who was a restricted free agent, agreed to a four-year, $72-million contract via sign-and-trade as part of the blockbuster deal, The Athletic's Shams Charania reports. His new contract with the Jazz is fully guaranteed, adds Charania.
Utah receives first-rounders in 2025, 2027, and 2029 as well as pick swaps in 2026 and 2028, per Wojnarowski.
Mitchell and Darius Garland should form one of the NBA's most potent backcourts. The ex-Jazz guard registered at least 20 points per contest during his five-year tenure with the club and posted four top-15 finishes in the league's scoring race.
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) September 1, 2022
Utah entered a rebuild this offseason following another early playoff exit. The Jazz dealt franchise center Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves in July as part of another blockbuster trade that netted four first-round picks along with a pick swap.
The Jazz have now amassed 13 unprotected or lightly protected draft picks through 2029.
Markkanen joined the Cavs last summer in a three-team sign-and-trade agreement with the Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers. The 7-footer averaged 14.8 points and shot 35.8% from downtown over 61 appearances during the 2021-22 campaign. Markkanen has three more years remaining on his deal, but his salary for the 2024-25 season is only partially guaranteed.
Cleveland drafted Sexton eighth overall four years ago. The Alabama product made 11 appearances during the 2021-22 campaign after sustaining a season-ending meniscus injury in November. He averaged 20 points on 45.8% shooting over four seasons with the Cavs but struggled on the defensive end.
Agbaji was the Cavs' first-round selection in this year's draft. The 6-foot-5 wing capped off a solid collegiate career in April with a national championship. He posted 18.8 points per game and drilled 40.7% of his triples en route to earning consensus first-team All-American honors during his senior year with Kansas.