Walk into the Delta Center today and you'll see something kinda weird. Even though Donovan Mitchell hasn't suited up for the Jazz since 2022, his #45 is still everywhere. It’s not just a leftover clearance item. It’s a statement. For many fans, the Donovan Mitchell Utah Jazz jersey represents the most electric era of basketball the state has seen since the Stockton-to-Malone days.
He wasn't just another draft pick. He was the "Spida."
When the Jazz traded him to Cleveland, a lot of people thought those jerseys would end up in the back of closets or, worse, at the bottom of a donation bin. Instead, they’ve become a sort of "modern vintage" staple. Honestly, the designs the Jazz ran with during Mitchell's five-year tenure were some of the most daring in NBA history. We're talking about the sunset gradients and the return of the purple mountains.
The Sunset Gradient: A Jersey That Changed Everything
You remember the "City Edition" that dropped in 2017. Most people just call it the "Sunset" or "Red Rocks" jersey. It was bold. It was bright orange, yellow, and deep red. At first, some folks hated it. Then, Mitchell started dropping 40-point games while wearing it, and suddenly every kid in Utah had to have one.
That specific Donovan Mitchell Utah Jazz jersey basically redefined what a Jazz uniform could look like. Before that, everything was navy, gold, and "green" (which was basically just dark teal). The City Edition captured the southern Utah landscape—Moab and Zion—in a way that felt authentic to the actual state, not just the city of Salt Lake.
- The 2017-2018 Debut: Mitchell's rookie year. This was when he won the Slam Dunk Contest and pushed the Jazz past OKC in the playoffs.
- The "Earned" Editions: If the Jazz made the playoffs, Nike gave them a special "Earned" jersey. The 2020/21 green version is notoriously hard to find now.
- The Classic Purple Mountain: In 2019, the team brought back the 90s mountain look. Seeing Mitchell in the same threads Karl Malone wore felt like a bridge between generations.
Why Fans Aren't Letting Go
It’s about the memories, mostly. Mitchell didn't leave on "bad" terms in the traditional sense, even if the ending was a bit messy. He embraced the community. He showed up at local high school graduations and Fourth of July barbecues.
Because of that, wearing his jersey doesn't feel like "rooting for the other team." It feels like honoring a guy who gave the franchise a pulse when it desperately needed one. Plus, let's be real: the new "black and yellow" rebrand the Jazz did recently... well, it hasn't exactly been a hit with everyone. A lot of fans would much rather rock a classic Mitchell Icon Edition than the highlighter-yellow stuff.
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The Collector's Market in 2026
If you're looking to buy one now, it's actually getting tougher. You can't just walk into a Foot Locker and grab an authentic Mitchell Jazz jersey anymore. Most of the stock is on the secondary market.
Check eBay or specialized memorabilia sites. You'll find "Swingman" versions (the standard fans wear) going for anywhere from $40 to $100 depending on the condition. But the "Authentic" versions—the ones with the stitched lettering and the exact fabric the players used—those are starting to creep up in price. A game-worn Mitchell City Edition recently sold for over $7,500.
Spotting a Fake vs. The Real Deal
Don’t get burned by "too good to be true" prices on random websites. If you're hunting for a real Donovan Mitchell Utah Jazz jersey, look for these specific markers:
The "J-Note" logo on the chest should be crisp, not bubbly. On Nike Swingman jerseys, the numbers are heat-pressed, but they should feel substantial, not like thin plastic. The "Jock Tag" at the bottom left should have the "NikeConnect" logo (even though that tech is basically defunct now, the tag should still be there on older Mitchell-era jerseys).
Also, look at the "Earned Edition" from 2021. It’s a deep forest green. Fakes often get the shade of green wrong, making it look too "Celtics-ish." The real one has a specific earthy tone that's unique to that Jazz run.
What to Do With Your Mitchell Gear Now
If you still have one, keep it.
If you're looking to buy, do it sooner rather than later. As the "Spida" era moves further into the past, those 2017-2022 jerseys are becoming the "throwbacks" of tomorrow.
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Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Check Local Thrift Stores: Believe it or not, Salt Lake City-area Deseret Industries or Savers often get these from people clearing out closets.
- Verify the Style: If you want the most "iconic" Mitchell look, go for the Dark Blue Icon Edition or the Sunset City Edition.
- Size Up: Nike's NBA jerseys tend to run a bit slim. If you plan on wearing it over a hoodie (the classic Utah look), go one size larger than your usual t-shirt.
- Preserve the Graphics: Always wash these jerseys inside out in cold water and never put them in the dryer. The heat will ruin the heat-pressed numbers faster than a fast break.
The Mitchell era might be over, but the jersey? That’s going to be a staple in Utah for a long, long time.