Knicks Rumors: Donovan Mitchell the most likely star trade target?

Knicks Rumors: What would Donovan Mitchell cost?

Let’s just make this clear in case there are any reservations on Donovan Mitchell as a player. He is already cemented as one of the very best young superstars in the league.

This is one of the main reasons he wants to leave — he is in that Jayson Tatum, Ja Morant, Devin Booker tier, except he doesn’t get nearly the same recognition.

We’re not just talking about a regular-season warrior either. Mitchell’s scoring in his last two playoff series included:

• 2020-21: 32.3 points per game in 10 games
• 2019-20: 36.3 points per game in 7 games

He is a 25-year-old superstar.

The cost is about as high as it gets for a trade. It would involve, I would estimate, 3 first-round picks.

Even with all of the Knicks rumors, it feels as though New York is firmly in the “Everything except RJ Barrett” is available.

Perhaps they can get a deal like this done?

Keeping Barrett in the deal is the dream, although it may be too unlikely for a player of Mitchell’s caliber.  Still, the Knicks have plenty of draft picks to trade, and 3 firsts, including 6 total, is a major haul for Utah.

Perhaps they would rather take on more young players such as Obi Toppin and Quentin Grimes with other salary fillers as opposed to Julius Randle, but adding a player like Randle would probably make more sense.

It’s not going to happen this season, but key an eye on more reports linking Donovan Mitchell to New York.