The New York Knicks could have a new shooting guard in 2022-23. And if you’re thinking Quentin Grimes, think Donovan Mitchell. New York and the Utah Jazz have engaged in trade talks, but reportedly, the Knicks turned down a steep offer from the Jazz.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, New York’s playing it safe. Woj appeared on Get Up on Monday morning and talked about Mitchell and the Knicks.
“New York is motivated to get Donovan Mitchell. But they are not motivated to move everything they have to get him.”@wojespn on ESPN Get Up
— Big Knick Energy (@BigKnickEnergy_) July 18, 2022
If Utah trades Mitchell, the team will officially be in a full rebuild mode with Rudy Gobert being sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves a few weeks ago. The Jazz’s asking price for Mitchell is high, and while New York has the assets, it appears as if the front office doesn’t want to send the farm to Utah.
Knicks reportedly not interested in trading for Donovan Mitchell at a steep cost
The Jazz received five first-round picks and five players in exchange for Gobert. A deal for Mitchell would likely look similar to that, which would mean that the Knicks would have to part ways with at least four of their eight tradable first-round picks.
On top of that, a mix of players such as Grimes, Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, Deuce McBride, and Cam Reddish would be gone. Utah’s interested in younger players, so while players like Julius Randle and Evan Fournier could be included in a possible deal, the Jazz aren’t on the market for veterans.
Notice how RJ Barrett wasn’t included. New York reportedly isn’t interested in including the 22-year-old in a deal, which is a good sign, but that could change.
Danny Ainge is trying to get as much as Utah can in exchange for Mitchell. That’s normal. But the Knicks shouldn’t lay all of their chips on the table to get him. If the 25-year-old guard doesn’t want to be part of the Jazz’s rebuild (and why would he?), he’s going to likely be moved before the start of the 2022-23 season.
This is something that could continue for the next month or two, but since New York is genuinely interested in bringing Mitchell back home, the belief is that he’ll make his way to the Knicks sometime during the remainder of the offseason.
Leon Rose and the front office are doing it right by not diving in now to make a trade happen. Patience is a virtue, after all.
ESPN once again disrespects Knicks during Donovan Mitchell trade segment
ESPN aired a New York Knicks "highlight reel" during Get Up! on Wednesday morning while discussing possible Donovan Mitchell trade.