Utah Jazz: 5 reasons to be excited for 2018-19 NBA season

By KC Whitten | Oct 10, 2018

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates the Jazz win at the end of Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz beat the Thunder 96-91 to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

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Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images /

5. Donovan Mitchell’s sophomore campaign

It’s difficult to have a better rookie season than Donovan Mitchell had in 2017-18. Emerging as a potential superstar after the All-Star break, he finished second in Rookie of the Year voting and averaged 20.4 points per game. Mitchell was even better during the playoffs, averaging 24.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

Entering his sophomore season at just 21 years old, he has plenty of room for growth. Mitchell also has plenty of motivation to improve his game, as he was arguably snubbed for the Rookie of the Year award that was given to Ben Simmons.

Two areas of focus will be his 3-point shooting and decision-making. He is mediocre from beyond the arc, making only 34 percent of his attempts. Mitchell is great finishing at the rim, but doesn’t attack the basket consistently. He only went to the charity stripe for 3.8 attempts per game last year.

Mitchell was a pleasant surprise in Salt Lake City last season, and was an absolute monster the second half of the year. It’s going to be exciting watching his further development and the noise he will make in the NBA in 2018-19.

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