Donovan Mitchell, Dejounte Murray and Lauri Markkanen Are Making An Impact On Their New Teams

The NBA saw the Western and Eastern Conference shake up rosters across the league this offseason. Donovan Mitchell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dejounte Murray was signed by the Atlanta Hawks and Lauri Markkanen has revamped the Utah Jazz roster in Salt Lake City.

These three players are making immediate impacts on their new teams one month into the 2022-2023 regular season.

Cleveland Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell

NBA superstar Donovan Mitchell has never advanced past the first round of the playoffs, as a member of the Utah Jazz. That trend could change as the six-year veteran is posting career-high statistics with the Cleveland Cavaliers this season.

The 2018 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion has created a tremendous tandem alongside Darius Garland in the Cavaliers backcourt. Mitchell is averaging 30.1 points per game, 5.7 assists, and shooting 42.3% from behind the arc this season. The three-time All-Star, has yet to average more than 26 points per game in a season and is on track to do so in 2023. However, Mitchell is playing more minutes per game (38) than ever before. His efficiency remains outstanding.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have not qualified for the playoffs since they were swept in the 2018 Finals by the Golden State Warriors. Cavs are 12-7, 1.5 games back behind central division leaders the Milwaukee Bucks.

Atlanta Hawks Dejounte Murray

With the offseason signing of All-Star shooting guard, Dejounte Murray, this summer, the Atlanta Hawks backcourt now packs a one-two punch paired up with NBA standout point guard Trae Young.

Murray, wasted no time, scoring a career-high 36 points in just his second game with his new team, in a victory against the Knicks in Madison Square Garden. The 2022 NBA steals leader, is averaging 20.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 7.1 assists for the 2023 season. Murray, can score as well as facilitate, and his contributions are a big reason Atlanta is the best team in the Southeast division 11-8.

The Atlanta Hawks took the Milwaukee Bucks to six games in the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. The Hawks were knocked out of the first-round, by the Miami Heat, last year, and hope to reverse this downward playoff trend.

Utah Jazz Lauri Markkanen

Originally drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 2017, Lauri Markkanen, made the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2018. The Bulls knew he had All-Star potential when they drafted the Finnish basketball standout but is now playing at top form as a member of the Utah Jazz.

The 7'0" power forward is a versatile scorer for the biggest surprise team of the NBA 12-8 Jazz. Markkanen is averaging a career-high 22 points, 8.5 rebounds along with 2.4 assists. He is averaging 52.9% from the field and can stretch the defense with his ability to shoot 36.5% for three.

Markkanen was acquired when the Jazz traded Donovan Mitchell to the Cavs. Markkanen is a strong candidate for Most Improved Player this season. With solid play from the five-time Finnish Player of The Year and guard Jordan Clarkson, the Jazz remains optimistic for the rest of the season. Even after moving on from star guard Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Bojan Bogdanovic in the offseason.