Utah Jazz: 5 takeaways from 2017 NBA Summer League

Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images /
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Utah Jazz
Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images /

1. Donovan Mitchell, Breakout Star

A lot of eyes were on Donovan Mitchell coming into Summer League. For one, the Jazz had unexpectedly traded up in the draft to acquire him, but the franchise was also reeling after Gordon Hayward‘s exit in free agency.

Utah desperately needed a beacon of hope for the future, and if we can forecast Mitchell’s NBA prospects based on his play in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, they now have that in a big way.

Many other prospects have shown flashes at Summer League, but Mitchell has outpaced them all in terms of eye-catching highlight plays, NBA-level athleticism and physical, in-your-face defense.

All told, he averaged 20.4 points per game on respectable — for Summer League — 40 percent shooting. His play caught the most eyes in Vegas, where he went off for a summer-high 37 points, including a whopping eight steals.

As impressive as his offense was, it was on defense where Mitchell really made his mark. Even while being younger than most of the other players on the court, he seemed to be playing at a speed faster than his opposition, routinely darting into passing lanes for steals that turned into breakaway dunks.

Even while going head-to-head against the likes of Markelle Fultz, Jayson Tatum and others, Mitchell still stood out as one of the best prospects on site. Jazz fans should be very excited to watch him next season.

Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

Jazz basketball will return again for preseason action, which will kick off for Utah on October 10.