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Knicks Rumors: Pros and cons of trading for Donovan Mitchell

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 04: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 04, 2020 in New York City. The Jazz defeated the Knicks 112-104. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 04: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 04, 2020 in New York City. The Jazz defeated the Knicks 112-104. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 08: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dunks during a game against the New York Knicks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 8, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 08: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dunks during a game against the New York Knicks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 8, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

Pro: Mitchell’s Contract

Donovan Mitchell is not only a present-day All-Star, but a player who’s still being paid on a rookie-scale deal. He won’t enter free agency until 2021, when he becomes a restricted free agent—meaning the New York Knicks would be able to match any contract he’s offered.

That’s an appealing truth for a Knicks team that would not only be able to play through Mitchell, but build around him for the better part of the next decade.

Mitchell is owed just $5,195,501 for the 2020-21 NBA season. Once his rookie contract expires, the Knicks would make a qualifying offer of $7,185,378 with a cap hold of just $12,988,753—a figure that would, in no way, interfere with the plan of signing a star in free agency.

New York could also sign Mitchell to an extension before he can reach free agency, but the point here stands: There’s financial flexibility to be had.

If the Knicks were to go the cap hold route, they could wait to re-sign Mitchell until after they’ve made other moves in free agency. They’d have Mitchell’s Bird rights, meaning team president Leon Rose could go into the luxury tax to re-sign him.

Perhaps more importantly: New York could have the 2020-21 season and as many as five more seasons after that before Mitchell enters unrestricted free agency.

It’s an appealing contract situation.

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