Given the Jazz’s numerous roster holes and dim playoff odds, it seems like “retooling around Mitchell” is more about posturing than intent. This trade mimics the Gobert framework of numerous picks plus young prospects (NYK could also add Reddish, Rokas or Deuce) while letting the Suns swap out two guys on the trade block for a solid upgrade in Randle.

NYK: Allows the Knicks to “get their star” while also moving on from Randle and preserving enough long-term assets to remain competitive and keep building. Trading IQ is sad, but he wouldn’t have a path to start and isn’t worth passing on Mitchell for. Additionally, including Quickley might reduce the required picks, allowing the Knicks to offer a swap in 2025 instead of a pick — this gives them the flexibility to still offer all of their future picks (along with Obi, Grimes, Cam, etc.) for a second star in the future.

UTA: Similar to the Gobert package, this gets the Jazz what’s likely the best package available with the Hawks no longer engaging and the Heat lacking the necessary picks. Unless Utah believes Herro is “the guy” (I think he’s a fantastic 6th man, but not massively better than IQ), no other rumored suitor can offer 5-6 firsts and multiple interesting prospects.

PHX: Although not a perfect fit, Randle is a massive upgrade over Crowder and Saric, who the Suns have already started to try moving. This trade also doesn’t affect the KD pursuit much (maybe 2029 is a pick swap instead of an outright trade) and gives the Suns another asset to either move in that trade or keep as depth around a new core. Functionally, the 2023 pick wouldn’t have a clear rotation spot anyway, so this may be the best use of that asset, similar to Dallas trading its pick this year plus scraps for Christian Wood.