These 6 teams have entered the Donovan Mitchell sweepstakes along with Knicks
If you’re wondering if there’s any news on the Donovan Mitchell-New York Knicks front, there isn’t. There hasn’t been progress in trade talks between New York and the Utah Jazz, but The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that there are six other teams interested in the three-time All-Star.
With the Jazz being willing to listen to offers regarding Mitchell, it’s natural for other teams to express interest. However, the Knicks still have the most to offer Utah with eight tradable first-round picks and several young players.
Per Shams Charania (subscription required), the Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Hornets, Sacramento Kings, and Atlanta Hawks have reached out to the Jazz. The Heat being mentioned shouldn’t come as a surprise, given that Miami’s been linked to Mitchell, but for a deal to go through, a third team would have to be involved.
Until Danny Ainge is willing to come down on the extremely high asking price for Mitchell, which reportedly consists of seven to eight first-round draft picks, New York’s likely going to continue to hold back.
Shams Charania reports six other teams have shown interest in Knicks target Donovan Mitchell
Mitchell has been active on social media, but he hasn’t spoken out about the trade talks swirling around his name. One could assume that with him being from New York, he’d prefer to be traded to his home, but that’s not something that he’s explicitly said.
Out of the seven teams that have reached out to the Jazz, the Knicks are the most likely landing spot. That doesn’t mean that a deal won’t get done with one of the six other teams, especially if more teams are willing to be included in a multi-team deal, but it’s been said that the expectation is for Mitchell to end up in New York.
There isn’t a rush for a trade, though. Ainge didn’t trade Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves until he got five first-round picks and five players in return, so he’s expected to continue to play the waiting game. Charania wrote:
"Like Brooklyn, the Jazz have held firm on setting a high bar on any potential Mitchell deal, and they expect to be patient throughout the process. For now, the Jazz will continue to evaluate incoming calls and seek ways to balance their roster."
Mitchell has three full years left on his contract until he’ll have a $37.1 million player option in 2025-26. He hasn’t formally requested a trade, but if he were to do so, that would expedite the trade process. At the age of 25 and having failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs in three of his five years in the league, the guard could be in search of a new challenge that doesn’t involve a rebuilding phase.
With two and a half months left until the start of 2022-23, Knicks fans will have to hold tight. Put your faith in New York’s front office.
