Donovan Mitchell Says He And Rudy Asked Danny Ainge Not To Blow It UP

Donovan Mitchell tells JJ Redick about how he found out about The Utah Jazz trading him to The Cleveland Cavaliers and about how he and Rudy Gobert asked Danny Ainge to "run it back."
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[@adequatequality]

Run it back for another “kinda impressive” regular season only to fumble the playoffs. I mean, the Jazz stayed top 5 in the west so long but people still didn’t have them making it far into the playoffs. There’s nothing to run back…

[@Kodreanu23]

They were not able to solve small ball line ups.

[@BigBen1994]

@@Kodreanu23 because Rudy can't guard the perimeter

[@joeteti4958]

@@BigBen1994 it's not his job, perimeter defense was trash, the defense was designed for Rudy to stay inside, coaches fault for not pulling him out and putting in Rudy Gay, coach quin is a regular season coach not a play off coach

[@FreeTaylorSwift]

@@joeteti4958 fr. It’s so simple. Like if a team is going 5 out and the teams system is to bring everything into the paint (Rudy), then you have to realize that hey maybe our system isn’t made to guard this and maybe we should adjust to it

[@henryviiifake8244]

@@BigBen1994 Rudy was winning multiple DPOYs from protecting the paint. If the coach is making Rudy guard the _perimeter,_ you're just begging a high-tier guard to cook him lile Curry cooked Marcin Gortat that time (if you know, then you _know_ ) because that's just bad coaching. Either that, or your other players are so bad at defending the perimeter that you feel compelled to bring Rudy out, in which case the GM should take some flack too for bad picks.

[@nortonman1178]

Say what you want, whether he could have made the Jazz legit contenders or not, but I will miss him in Utah. He's such a genuine guy and had a good relationship with this community.

[@simsingh8492]

No he couldn’t have

[@burrybondz225]

@@simsingh8492 he nice.

[@jonmays9779]

As a Jazz fan I miss him a lot! He was a huge example to our entire state of what a good person is. Super happy he's doing great in Cleveland!

[@thedon5367]

They needed lock down perimeter players, rudy was out there guarding stretch bigs while having to crash down and protect the rim every possession.

[@chadcaldwellclips]

Run what back 😂

[@mr.dolphin8345]

Regular season success into mediocrity I guess

[@ghostmiko5762]

They where a solid team

[@kazutrashsato8883]

@@ghostmiko5762 ...in the regular season 😂

[@triplethreathighlights3266]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jacobito626]

💀💀💀💀💀

[@jaspertrocio6350]

They were good for each other but the jazz was just not good at getting good veterans and developing defensive players for help

[@johelectrix7927]

If Jazz did that like what happened when Gordon Hayward was there Mitchell might have led the Jazz in the Conf Finals

[@WalterModel45]

Mitchel and Gobert were a desaster duo

[@dxfifa]

Mitchell was a no defense, no passing chucker by the end of it

[@pratyushb2024]

The jazz needed a 2nd or possibly even 3rd scorer and they never got one...

[@Vetionarian]

Thank you for all the great memories in SLC Spida. Mitchell will always be a household name in Utah :)

[@MrLouisanalane]

Ainge did IT dirty, but I think he did good for Mitchell, Gobert and Jazz.

[@BlackedOutDreams]

he did not do IT dirty

[@APerson-co7er]

@@BlackedOutDreams Yes he did?

[@NPAMike]

nah IT overplayed his hand he thought he was gonna get a brinks truck and then he got hurt and he hasn't been anywhere close to what he was that one year. He had his "Linsanity" moment and Ainge didn't buy into it.

[@calebbirrenkott8949]

@@NPAMike Ainge and the medical staff convinced him he could play

[@APerson-co7er]

@@NPAMike IT gave his heart and soul to that Boston team and Ainge spit in his face

[@mitch5411]

31 points 9 assists and 32 points 9 rebounds 8 assists in his first 2 games as a cavalier we are very happy to have him

[@coyeburningham4526]

Thank you for markannen Sexton several firsts and ochai. Best of luck with Mitchell

[@jawick5150]

why you didn’t include the rebounds in the first part ?

[@Beamin439]

@@jawick5150 hes a pg who cares lmao

[@jawick5150]

@@Beamin439 i care cause i was curious to why it was added in the second part but not the first

[@REDDRomeo]

The land, we up

[@sammarchant2703]

We will miss you Donovan. Good luck in Cleveland!

[@Nouvertne25]

The biggest mistake the Jazz made was signing Mike Conley and thinking he could be the 3rd piece to compliment Gobert and Mitchel.

[@mr_jackson_6240]

They looked very good tonight

[@franbatista9062]

Conley is a great player, it would be a great 3rd option to any championship team

[@Nouvertne25]

@@franbatista9062 if they signed him at age 25-I would agree with you, but at age 32 he was way past his prime for $23 million a year..it ate up too much of the team salary for the quality of player he was/is now.

[@Nouvertne25]

@@mr_jackson_6240 totally new team. I like the moves. It’s just a shame that they couldn’t get someone younger and with more upside than Conley at 32 years old at the time.

[@Shisnoh]

@@franbatista9062 You talking about the Wembanyama Championship?

[@Chip4576]

The Jazz had their shot when they were the 1 seed in 2021. After that season it was only a matter of time before they got blown up.

[@JamesMC2323]

Facts everybody outside of Don was getting old and making way too much money

[@brandonbates9587]

Yep and now the Suns might be in the same boat only difference is they did make the finals at least

[@NatureBoy818channel]

In the Suns case CP3 is the only really old player. The Jazz outside Mitchell was a older team

[@brandonbates9587]

@@NatureBoy818channel Yea age isn't the comparison..The Suns might have missed their chance like the Jazz did,having the top seed then gets upset in the playoffs

[@BigBen1994]

They said Donovan rather get a turnover before he passes it to Rudy Gobert lol 😆😆😆

[@philadelphiak9PD]

but it ain't working, and maybe rebuilding process is the best option

[@cianm6905]

They didn’t have a team capable of winning tho. They needed to move for more 3 and D guys who could play in the playoffs

[@meganod279]

Unfortunately that's true. The team was not good enough and they were at maximum a 1st team exit.

[@FutsKnucking]

I hope he gets a warm welcome when he plays in Utah this year. We were more than lucky to have him. Hope Jazz fans show some class but that is usually too much to ask.

[@hoodie_bron]

Yeah like when they burned Hayward’s jerseys 💀🤦🏽‍♂️

[@gamesnstuff657]

As a Jazz fan it is always embarrassing to see how the fans reacts to things here. So damn insecure about everything. Deron, Gordon Hayward.....If they flame Rudy or Don I will just know that they don't love anybody including themselves. I remember being in the arena when D-will was there and all the clown Jazz fans booing him when he had the ball, it was just embarrassing. This was a few years after everything went down. Just let it go people....geez.

[@FadedDream6969]

I miss mitchell and I'm still rooting for him

[@hoodie_bron]

@@gamesnstuff657 yeah as sad as it is there is a reason nba players don’t like the jazz fan base 💀

[@keilbradley7002]

@@hoodie_bron Yeah that was wack but Donovan didnt even leave us, we traded him lol. Jazz fans have 0 reason to be upset with Mitchell

[@raine_man_7984]

I think blowing the team up was a bad idea. Expecting that jazz team to win now with all the talent in the west is the epitome of impatience, I hate when teams expect instant playoff success because their team won 50 games. Donovan’s a killer and very young and was injured in the playoffs their best season jazz are playing well now but Donovan is an absolute stud

[@flicker031]

Run it back to another 2nd round exit at best?

[@dreamteam709]

change ur dp. i cant take you seriously

[@kambuibomani231]

Honestly a different coach and younger wing defenders could’ve pushed them farther than they have been.

[@grimmcutty622]

@@kambuibomani231 think thy was done banking on ifs and buts

[@haroldfloyd5518]

Wow, an NBA star saying the problem was that he wasn’t good enough! I’ve always had questions about Donovan but not after this interview. Like JJ, he’s obviously a basketball lifer.

[@obedpalacios1996]

They ran it back at least three times 🤣🤣

[@Jimslim5]

Idk based on both their debuts, I’d say this was a good fresh start for both

[@ishanshah4904]

Ainge did both of them a favor

[@henryviiifake8244]

Did everyone a favour, lowkey. Not even a Jazz fan, but it's kind of sad seeing them getting cooked in each playoff run by violating their poor perimeter defense. There's only so many times you can run into a brick wall before your head hurts (and who's turning down 4x first round picks for Gobert?!)

[@kevinb1277]

Update?

[@16travisk32]

Luka doncic single handedly destroyed the jazz squad

[@meganod279]

And he had no one else that really had a name, unlike the jazz. Donovan is talented, but I don't see him winning anything. He is another John wall.

[@waldirdaconceicao7348]

Luka didn't even played that whole series lol

[@onehand-yusuf7212]

More like Jaylen Bryson and Spencer Dinwiddie

[@davidanoka-ayembe4258]

That was not a one man job. Jalen Brunson really helped

[@16travisk32]

@@davidanoka-ayembe4258 true

[@xobx5340]

that team was never gonna work, this was probably the best case scenario for him & rudy. I see this Cavs team making it to ECF within two seasons

[@adverbs626]

the eastern conference is deep now. really deep. I wouldnt count on it.

[@southsidemanman3173]

@@adverbs626 me either 😂😂🤦🏽‍♂️

[@FupaDoncic]

Once Ingles went down it was over, great glue guy and as a trade chip.

[@sc239]

Cap... That was a press release statement not a genuine answer. I get it, at this point it is done so no point being negative about the Jazz. But not even Danny Ainge blows up a roster like that without reason..

[@novembergrams]

I understand them wanting to run it back. They’re at least a sure playoff team. If they don’t, there’s an uncertainty if their new team will even get a play-in or playoff spot. Luckily, they both went to really good situations.

[@jseels]

I was honestly okay with letting Rudy Go for picks… but DON really hurt… and I know we got some of the new exciting players from that trade… but I will always wonder what we could have done keeping the core and just trading Rudy and maybe Bogey away fro younger talent and building around DON. As you’d am see now… a makeshift team of young talent and a few vets can put together a winning product when they share the basketball and play free. Top 5 seed? Probably not, but the Jazz are still a playoff team right now and they have a MASSIVE bank of picks waiting for the right moves. Bishop Ainge has definitely delivered.

[@bizarresportynerd6136]

Rudy and Mitchell were never going to win anything together. But still surprised they traded Mitchell

[@kw0017]

We all know who Danny is. There was never any question he was tearing it down for picks and starting over

[@brennen1124]

The position was probably presented to him with that proposition. That Danny would be able to break it up and go crazy tryna rebuild lol

[@TheYoungMuTe]

While its a sound strategy. It sometimes feels like the biggest scam in the world. Job is to have a shitty team and you got a job for the next 3 years minimum lol

[@noyou113]

I think edwards is a better version of Mitchell. It will be interesting seeing him and gobert play together.

[@cartersaysgo]

Tommy clean w that golf hoodie

[@wtckcs]

When someone offers 4 first round picks for Rudy Robert that’s when you don’t listen to Donovan Mitchel

[@henryviiifake8244]

(Respectfully, of course) The only person crazier than whoever dropped 4x _first round_ picks for Gobert is the person on the other end who doesn't accept that offer in a heartbeatn

[@hittkid6312]

@@henryviiifake8244 True any gm that passes on that Gobert deal should immediately get investigated for tampering.

[@stephaniechaffin1154]

Yea that's 2 more than he's worth.

[@adverbs626]

if anyone thought that Danny Ainge wasnt going to tear the roster apart once he got there, they havent been paying much attention for the last couple of decades :)

[@bleedgreen6466]

As a Boston fan. I can say that Danny really love to do it his own way and not taking advice to anyone. But i believe at the end he can make the utah a competitive team.

[@akmcff]

Literally what I was thinking too man as a Boston fan, if he’s not not blowing up the Celtics with kg rondo and pierce, he’s definitely blowing up gobert and mitchell lmao

[@Istaygroovy]

I think this team lacked development and coaching. Most coaches come up with double teams or zones for small ball lineups but for some reason every game they had Rudy trying to close out on guards. Maybe I'm just naive to think that can be compensated for

[@chriswolff3893]

I think Rudy is just too slow for the modern NBA. The Jazz have always had the best player development next to San Antonio. They are much smaller markets than Boston or Miami.

[@PeteringYT]

@@chriswolff3893 Rudy tore it up overseas and is playing well right now (even though its still early).

[@chriswolff3893]

@@PeteringYT I like his game. He just needs the right fit.

[@X02Overdose]

@@chriswolff3893 Rudy’s just fine, the rest of those Jazz teams were turn styles on defense

[@michaelkobe4597]

Bro he’s capping 😂 he wanted out the min they got upset in the playoffs…

[@matthieusaade3616]

No you didn't, you wouldn't even pass the ball to your wide open center right under the basket. Stop lying

[@FernandoGarcia-rl6gj]

Still a first round or second round exit

[@gilbertsantibanez19]

You rarely pass the ball to Gobert. Lol!

[@jonnybee6900]

Yet, the “he wanted to leave” agendas will survive stronger than ever

[@EmersonFlemingEmRock13]

I could see them wanting to try one more time, but the west is so stacked and they were a very stagnant team that didn’t really improve since 2017. I think they’re both in a lot better spots to win championships now, they have experience from being on a very good team and can take that to young talent and try to get something done.

[@soccerplyr8]

Nah Utah is the best team ever now. Seriously don't bet against them

[@cheerioss-9121]

Run back and do what exactly?

[@bengrewal174]

actions speal louder than words. He wouldn't pass the ball to Rudy when he was on the block......ever

[@captainhoopla7773]

Everyone an expert especially when majority can't dribble😂😂😂

[@TheKapei22]

I mean he is right, Jazz FO could try again with this roster as Will Hardy bring the only change. I believe Quin Snyder's defensive scheme failed in playoffs, check out Clippers and Mavs series again, they played few plays again and again to win. It was not the roster that had to be blown up, at least for a season.

[@Themanintheredcoat]

I like what this dude is made of. Glad he’s a cavalier

[@majora919]

Donovan Mitchell is very well spoken

[@ReelMuzikFein]

Victor Wembanyama

[@zaynrivers7433]

The team could’ve worked but they gave too much offensive responsibility to Rudy & role players. Donovan & Gobert needed consistent perimeter defenders around them & a consistent 2nd scoring option

[@trewesttv7209]

Donovan needed a 1-2 like Jay Tate and Brown which in my opinion he has with Darius garland in CLE with a bunch of great surrounding players now. I’m excited to see what that cavs team does this year and in the coming. Sorry I had to reply because I read what you wrote and thought “this guy watches ball” and had to chime in

[@zaynrivers7433]

@@trewesttv7209 don’t be sorry, couldn’t agree more. The Cavs potential over the next 3 years is sky high.

[@TheStreetAnalyst]

Run what back? Repeated failure so they can mark it for a decade? Lmaooo

[@XTheeKing]

Both great players but let's be honest it just wont working in Utah just to have a decent season and fumble it in the playoffs back to back TO BACK years

[@kazman_6899]

They should have run it back. Kind of. Coach stays. Rudy stays. Royce stays. Donovan gets dealt for RJ, Obi, Rose and Grimes.

[@christaggart5687]

Gonna miss him and Rudy

[@NPAMike]

A big reason not to run it back is the chance for Wembanyama.

[@charleskummerer]

lmao i'm sorry, i don't buy that for one second

[@DocPatriot]

i think this dude is lying, everyone and their mother knew Mitchell and Rudy didn’t get along and mitchell did request a trade

[@coraldelaluna]

Windhorst so much with so little 😂😂😂

[@ryu-ken]

unfortunately when a new gm comes in they want to do things their way and start anew

[@meganod279]

To be honest, every person is different, so I'm not really surprised about it.

[@yannisbarrientos82]

Yeah. I wonder if they see Wembaya in their future

[@muddywaters92]

“Hey Danny let’s run it back”…. Danny: Y’all lost in the 1st round when Luka didn’t even play 3 games and you never pass it to Gobert, pass.

[@andrescarmonar.2646]

No way he ever thought they were going to beat a team like Warriors.

[@pratyushb2024]

Yea, they needed 1 or 2 other scorers for them to compete!

[@mayojarr6243]

Yall always only had to the victor year to figure it out. Now the tank begins

[@frankbeans5921]

What, run back a 1st Rnd exit 🤦‍♂️

[@alasdairmacdonald9838]

If he wants to be the best Don for himself and his team, try playing defense. That was always the biggest problem in Utah. Their perimeter defense sucked and Mitchell was the main culprit. Take a page from Curry's book, you don't have to become a stopper that your physical traits make impossible but if you work hard, use your brain and give effort and play team defense you can at the very least be a neutral defender. Too often Mitchell even in Cleveland is out of position, late in rotation or just plan standing there like a statue. Rudy use to have to clean almost everything up by himself, now it looks like it's up to Allen and Mobley.

[@your.UNBIASED.NewsTalk]

U need some more HATORADE to drink buddy?

[@alasdairmacdonald9838]

@@your.UNBIASED.NewsTalk no I'm good. He actually seems like a chill guy very level headed still got time to figure things out. My criticisms are purely on court.

[@southsidemanman3173]

@@alasdairmacdonald9838 You ain’t lying bro Mitch will never play d he’ll never win anything

[@stephaniechaffin1154]

Try watching the Cavaliers this year, his defense has been pretty solid. It helps him tremendously that he has help on the offensive end so now he can play defense. Also you are crazy if you think Steph plays defense.

[@MrE_]

This just goes to show you that stars don't hold all the power like a lot of people think. Mitchell didn't even know his team would be trading everyone

[@andychoi1020]

Unless you're LeGM 🤣

[@g17yt99]

The jazz wanted wembayama

[@treyhb3314]

donovan told ainge to trade him or rudy and then after we traded rudy he said he would play out his contract but didn’t want us to build a team around him. he has played harder in cleveland than he has the last few years on the jazz. he wanted out

[@Publiksquare]

They already ran it back. Several times.

[@europec2082]

Donny rarely passed to Rudy lol

[@shahramsareminouri4195]

I lost respect for Donovan in his third year here in utah...glad he is gone.we do miss Rudy

[@JamesMC2323]

This is PR brodie we all know you wanted off from rudy, no need to hide it

[@Kodreanu23]

Bro, if you only played some defense...

[@asap_tap]

I usually love this podcast, but this clip was literally so unnecessary. Doesn't tell the audience anything.

[@markblue6464]

But they put up 130 against the Nuggets first game, it’s not the same team but as far as contending wise it had to be done ……. It was time for y’all to separate business wise

[@DasFlippityFlop]

Now the jazz is leading the west

[@Boman751]

After seeing this, and getting confirmation Donovan and Rudy wanted to stay in Utah, the only thing I can say is screw Danny Ainge and screw Ryan Smith. At this point in time and the current state of the Jazz, those two have ruined the team astronomically. And it may stay this way for a long time.

[@ny-romerome-_-8891]

Y’all acting like you haven’t loss on a 3’s court and let’s say run it back what he’s saying has nothing to do with success in the past

[@pharxahghxst3654]

I'm trying to figure out why he took him out like that maybe poole can learn a thing or 2 from this fellow

[@mubarakusman9184]

So many people hating in the comments section. This is sad man

[@henryviiifake8244]

Where's the hate? I mean *actual* hate, not the _"that would never have worked another ssason if it failed so badly already"_ type comments. People are calling out the fact that the Jazz became predictable in the playoffs and were always being exploited in the same ways. Whether rebuilding when they did was a good idea is a different conversation, but it's clear to many, Jazz fan or otherwise, that there's only so long you can go being an upper-table team losing in the 1st or 2nd round before you start thinking something has to change.

[@joshcash4386]

Love Donny… he’ll be missed in Utah forever!

[@sammaccauley3008]

Already forgot... The team with him on it was always disappointing because we expected better

[@shahramsareminouri4195]

Hell no...we miss Rudy

[@ryangobasco920]

Not with Wembanyama coming next season

[@SarcasticSloth69]

Donovan really wanted to run it back again another year? With that team’s mediocre defense and lackluster offense? Damn, didn’t realize Donovan was a masochist 💀

[@GolDDarius]

All teams got exactly what they needed with the trade. The wolves just need to find themselves.

[@FernandoGarcia-rl6gj]

Honestly wouldn't have made a difference

[@chaznad5411]

I’m glad Rudy is out of there. Dude has so much potential but was never utilized properly. Everyone takes shots at him because they either dont understand basketball or are haters but watch what happens in Minnesota when he’s utilized properly.. the guy can be a huge threat offensively and defensively if played right. Can’t wait for Him, KAT and Edwards to build a connection and people will see why he’s worth $$$

[@princek6778]

If the Jazz woulda got Mitch another star they woulda went far

[@onlyfactxpodcast]

Rudy was that other star lmao

[@henryviiifake8244]

The Jazz's biggest problem was their perimeter defense. In the regular season, they were capable of funelling anybody snd everybody towards Gobert who'd cause them to alter their shot, force a pass, or stop them in their tracks (hence 3x DPOY's). But whenever the playoffs came around, they'd have this guy on the perimeter like he's Kawhi Leonard... and teams would destroy the Jazz based on that.

[@digitalgravity3563]

They needed a scorer big than just a rim protector. Offense would have been better with that which open up more threes with their shooters.

[@Boogieman618]

Hell no lmao their offense was not the problem it was just their perimeter defense. Everyone except rudy was trash at keeping up with decent guards.

[@bluesnem8396]

they needed perimeter defense not more offense

[@fjbills]

@@Boogieman618 Rudy couldn’t keep up with guards either bro. He was like Bambi on ice bro. Incredible 10 feet from the basket though.

[@mickidoesmedia]

@@fjbills ppl cant expect Rudy to be defending the interior, mid-interior, and perimeter. Y'all crazy.

[@fjbills]

@@mickidoesmedia no, but man is expected to guard a switch from time to time. And it’s like if you took barbecue chicken, then put it in a blender.

[@averywashingtonjr3528]

But he found great fits for both of them tho I can say Mitch fits great with Cavs and Rudy is exactly what the Wolves needed

[@chillbruh6986]

He’s definitely lying, he wanted to leave so bad and I don’t blame him. But just own up to it

[@bluriceinc3365]

He doesn’t have a reason to lie. Some individuals aren’t stuck up.

[@skipbayless4375]

Jalen Brunson and Terrance Mann ended the Jazz

[@southsidemanman3173]

A few teams broke the jazz😂😂😂

[@2010antlive1]

A better world is coming

[@princek6778]

They shoulda been traded Rudy

[@keithturner7102]

Thank God Almighty they didn’t run it back. That Utah Jazz basketball was terrible and boring and terrible again.

[@huss1050]

Run back another playoff exit?

[@mayabergsdottir9622]

Windy needs to lose weight...

[@stizanley3987]

I don't believe him.

[@hisgreatness2]

You don't trust a Celtic, ever.

[@WaveGod813]

He's lying 😂

[@pman1914]

🧢

[@beans3763]

I call bs 😂