Knicks reportedly have new competition in trade talks for Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell could join the New York Knicks sometime in the next few weeks, but the Utah Jazz have been having conversations with other teams as well. Outside of the Knicks, the Miami Heat have been brought up in discussions, but another team that hasn’t been talked about is the Cleveland Cavaliers.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Cavaliers have “touched base” with the Jazz in recent days about Mitchell. Cleveland dealt with injuries in 2021-22 and came up short in the play-in tournament, but finished ninth in the East with a 44-38 record. With Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Caris LeVert, and potentially Collin Sexton (who’s currently a free agent with a pending qualifying offer), the Cavaliers are expected to have an exciting 2022-23.
By Cleveland reaching out to Utah, it’s clear that the Cavaliers are in search of a key piece to add to their young core. And like New York, Cleveland’s young core could spark the interest of Danny Ainge. As the Jazz are entering a rebuilding phase, adding young players via a Donovan Mitchell trade would be in their best interest.
The Cavaliers can’t put together as good of an offer as the Knicks, but it’s still noteworthy that Cleveland inquired about Mitchell. Mitchell reportedly has a list of preferred destinations (subscription required), but if Ainge can get what he wants out of the Cavaliers, that’s all that the CEO will care about.
What do the Cavaliers have to offer the Jazz that the Knicks don’t?
Ainge is reportedly looking for four unprotected first-round picks, which is something that Cleveland could offer. Maybe the Cavaliers would be willing to throw Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro, and perhaps even Collin Sexton via a sign-and-trade. That’s a lot to give up, though.
There’s been trade scenarios floating around where Cleveland would only be giving up two firsts, but Ainge isn’t going to take that, especially after what he got in return for Rudy Gobert.
The Cavaliers trading for Mitchell would certainly make them one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, but it doesn’t seem like it’ll be something that we’ll see happen. Even with the race for Mitchell getting a bit tighter, the Knicks are still viewed as the frontrunner.
New York and Utah are reportedly at odds over the number of unprotected first-round picks that the Jazz want. If the Knicks loop in a third team (perhaps the Lakers), that should help to incentive the Jazz to get a deal done.
With Utah trading Patrick Beverley to Los Angeles in exchange for Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson, it’s clear that the Jazz aren’t trying to build around Mitchell. Let’s go ahead and end the rumors and reported competition with a trade, okay?
