Knicks fans should root for Mavericks to beat Jazz in first-round playoff series
New York Knicks fans have been dreaming about a key offseason acquisition for how long now? It feels like forever. Now that New York’s officially done for the year, those hopes have been refueled once again. How do fans feel about Donovan Mitchell becoming a Knick?
If you like the idea of that, then you need to become a Dallas Mavericks fan over the next few days. That shouldn’t be too difficult, considering that Dallas has several former New York players on its roster. We know the magic that Theo Pinson holds for playoff teams and rooting for him won’t feel unusual.
Mitchell signed a five-year maximum extension worth $195 million in November of 2020. He’s signed with Utah through the 2024-25 season, with a player option in 2025-26 before he becomes an unrestricted free agent that summer. That’s a long time from now.
The Jazz are headed to the postseason for the sixth year in a row, but the team hasn’t made it past the conference semi-finals since the 2006-07 season. There’s been a rumor floating around that if Utah doesn’t make it past the first round, Mitchell could want out.
Why do New York Knicks fans need to cheer for the Mavericks over the Jazz?
Two months ago, Mitchell spoke with Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports on a podcast about those rumors. On that topic, the New York native said:
"“I think I’ve reached a point where you’re happy with yourself, first off,” Mitchell told Yahoo Sports. “… But as far as myself with the franchise, I see the articles, but I really address it with my teammates. I’ve seen it. I’m not too stressed about it. I’m not thinking about it. Because for me, it’s about how we can win."
Haynes wrote: “Ultimately, two major factors will dictate his future decisions: family and the opportunity to be a continual title contender.”
Mitchell was the No. 13 overall pick in the 2017 draft, so he’s wrapping up his sixth year in the NBA. The Jazz haven’t been able to make it over the hump yet to become a legitimate contender.
It makes perfect sense that Mitchell is focused on his happiness and how he can help his team, but what will happen if Utah’s an early exit? Will the guard’s mindset then change?
He’s been linked to the Knicks specifically because he’s from the area and his father is an executive for the New York Mets.
If the 25-year-old had any desire to go and join a young team in New York, he’d be closer to home and his family. Remember, Mitchell’s family is one of the factors that he’ll take into consideration when it comes to his future.
As for now, things are looking good for the Jazz, who will face the Mavericks in Game 1 without Luka Doncic. The Slovenian is definitively out for the first game of the series and there’s doubt about his availability for the second game.
Dallas is a completely different team without Doncic (obviously), and unfortunately, he’s dealing with a calf strain during the most important time of the year.
Hopefully, Doncic will be given the green light for Game 2, and not just so it’ll increase the chances of New York potentially acquiring Mitchell.
The Mavericks and Jazz will square off for the first game of the series on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
