Jazz fans should pay attention to Cavaliers’ playoff run

TL;DR

Utah Jazz fans are encouraged to focus on the Cleveland Cavaliers' playoff performance, which could impact their own team's future. The Cavaliers are currently in the NBA playoffs, and their success may influence the Jazz's trajectory.

Key points

Utah Jazz fans should focus on the Cavaliers' playoff run
Cavaliers are in the NBA playoffs against the Raptors
Donovan Mitchell is a key player for the Cavaliers
Cavaliers' success may influence Jazz's future strategy

Cleveland CavaliersUtah JazzToronto RaptorsDonovan Mitchell

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell reacts after an assist during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Toronto Raptors, Saturday, April 18, 2026, In Cleveland. | David Dermer, Associated Press

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As the page turns for the Utah Jazz, from the tanking doldrums to a team meant to be on the rise, fans can start to pay more attention to the NBA regular season rather than the mayhem and chaos of the offseason and the draft lottery ... right?

Well, that might not completely be the case, depending on what happens in Cleveland.

When the Jazz traded Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers in 2022, they received a number of first-rounders and pick swaps in the deal. Of course, there is a partial expectation that trading an All-Star player to a good team means that any first-rounders received in return are likely to fall late in the draft round. But the longer into the future those picks extend, the more chance there is of the unknown coming into play.

Of the numerous assets the Jazz got back in the Mitchell deal, the ones that are of particular interest now are a 2028 pick swap and a 2029 first-rounder.