With Adrian Wojnarowski reporting that the Utah Jazz have ‘shown a willingness’ to listen to trade offers for Donovan Mitchell, New York Knicks fans have been on edge, whether it be because they do or don’t want the three-time All-Star.
The Athletic’s Tony Jones, who covers the Jazz, wrote that according to league sources, New York’s expected to “quickly try and put together a package.” The bottom line is that the Knicks have the assets, including eight tradable first-round picks.
This is what Minnesota gave up in the Rudy Gobert trade: Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, a 2023 first-round pick, a 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 pick swap, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2029 first-round pick. Danny Ainge is going to make sure that Utah gets something similar in return for Mitchell if he is traded.
New York has a promising young roster, so while the Jazz are more focused on stockpiling picks, the Knicks are going to have to give up a few players in return. And here’s a question that we posed on Twitter yesterday:
Which players would you be willing to give up in a Donovan Mitchell trade?
— Daily Knicks (@DailyKnicksFS) July 12, 2022
After looking at the responses that were given, we’re going to rank seven of New York’s players based on the views of fans. And you know exactly who’s going to fall in at No. 7.
Ranking 7 players to give up in a Donovan Mitchell trade according to Knicks fans
7: RJ Barrett
Should Ainge inquire about RJ Barrett? Absolutely. Should Leon Rose be willing to deal Barrett to Utah? Absolutely not.
Donovan Mitchell trade like KD is going to be tough. Utah, like the Nets are under no rush to trade him unless their terms are met. Question is how aggressive Leon & Co. will get. For me RJ is off the table but everything else is a go.
— CP "The Fanchise" (@CPTheFanchise) July 13, 2022
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, “People in touch with the club recently said New York has had no interest in trading RJ Barrett in any deal.” The 22-year-old is eligible for an extension between now and the start of the 2022-23 season. If the Knicks are working on anything regarding Barrett this summer, it should be a new deal.
It’d set New York back to include Barrett in a Mitchell trade package. Not to mention that it’d be a travesty to fans to not get to see Barrett and Mitchell on the court together.
Based on Begley’s report, along with common knowledge, Barrett appears to be untouchable. If a trade for Mitchell goes through, his name shouldn’t be included.