It’s no secret that the New York Knicks could be the team to “steal” Donovan Mitchell away from the Jazz this summer if he requests a trade. If the Knicks are interested, it won’t be easy to execute a trade, given that Mitchell still has three years left on his five-year max contract.
Utah won’t be content with simply receiving players such as Nerlens Noel, Kemba Walker, or even Evan Fournier. The Jazz are going to dig a bit deeper and do their best to compensate for losing a player like Mitchell.
And given how people in Utah’s front office reportedly felt about New York scouting Game 1 of its first-round playoff series against Dallas, the Knicks are going to need to be ready for a hefty asking price.
If it comes to the point where both sides are engaging in trade talks, it’s going to be up to New York to decide if it wants to go all-in or not. Things will be easier if Mitchell asks to be traded to the Knicks because although the Jazz aren’t obligated to give him what he wants, the three-time All-Star has devoted five seasons to the team.
The Knicks have assets, but the front office will have to be willing to part with at least one “big” name to land Mitchell in a possible trade. With that being said, let’s try to prepare ourselves by going over four potential options.
4 players the New York Knicks could part with in a Donovan Mitchell trade
4: Immanuel Quickley
If Utah loses Mitchell, the front office should be interested in landing a young guard like Immanuel Quickley. He hasn’t been a consistent fixture on the court for New York, but he proved that he at least deserves a shot at contending for the Knicks’ starting point guard position.
The 22-year-old closed out the 2021-22 season on a strong note with two triple-double performances in the final four games. The more time that he spends on the court, the better he’s going to get.
To get Mitchell, the Knicks will most likely have to give up their 2022 first-round draft pick, which means that New York shouldn’t be willing to part ways with Quickley. The likelihood of the Knicks drafting a point guard in round one is low due to supply and that’s only more of a reason to keep Quickley.
The young guard could be the answer that New York’s been searching for at point guard and if a trade for Mitchell comes to fruition, the two would make for an exciting backcourt. Nonetheless, if the Jazz are forced into a rebuild, Quickley would fit the bill.
Tom Thibodeau seems to especially favor Quickley and because of the coach’s relationship with Leon Rose, that should mean something.