Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell disputes Danny Ainge's Jazz assessment

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell says he tried to make it work in Utah before being traded in September. He also disagrees with Danny Ainge’s assessment of the 2021-2022 Jazz team.  

Mitchell, who was traded to Cleveland for a load of draft picks and three young players, said Wednesday that he disagrees with Ainge’s statement that last year's Jazz team "didn't believe in each other."

Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy Head Coach and CEO of Basketball Operations of the Utah Jazz Danny Ainge speak during a press conference about Hardy as the new Head Coach at Vivint Smart Home Arena on July 05, 2022 in Salt Lake City. (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

"I don't think we didn't believe [in each other]," Mitchell told ESPN on Wednesday. "I said at the end of the season, don't trade [RudyGobert]. Let's figure this out, let's do. And that didn't happen. For him to say that after six months around the team, I disagree. But you know, at the end of the day, that's his decision."

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The Mitchell trade was the final of three big changes to the direction of the franchise during the offseason. 

In June, Quin Snyder stepped down as head coach of the Jazz, saying that the team could benefit from a "new voice" after failing to reach the Western Conference Finals in Utah’s six consecutive playoff appearances. 

In July, Utah traded three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a load of draft picks. Mitchell was traded one month later. 

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On Monday, Ainge