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Rick Pitino speaks out in favor of potential Knicks-Donovan Mitchell trade

By Jordanna Clark

LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 17: Rick Pitino the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals gives instructions to Donovan Mitchell #45 during the game against the Long Beach State 49ers at KFC YUM! Center on November 17, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 17: Rick Pitino the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals gives instructions to Donovan Mitchell #45 during the game against the Long Beach State 49ers at KFC YUM! Center on November 17, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Now that the Kevin Durant trade saga is over (for now), the NBA world has turned their attention to a possible Donovan Mitchell trade. The New York Knicks have been putting together the pieces to trade for a star, and that dream could soon become reality. And according to former Knicks coach (1987-1989) Rick Pitino, it’s a move that Mitchell’s in favor of.

Pitino was fired by the Louisville Cardinals in October of 2017 “after allegations against Louisville that included payments of $100,000 to the family of a recruit.” That happened four months after Mitchell was drafted No. 13 overall by the Denver Nuggets. During the two seasons that Mitchell spent at Louisville, he was coached by Pitino.

Mitchell hasn’t spoken out publicly about the trade rumors, nor has he requested a trade. During the offseason he’s been going to Mets games, playing in Pro-Am contests, and he even recently made an appearance at Rucker Park. He could end up back in Utah for the start of the 2022-23 season, but it seems more likely that he’ll be suiting up for a new team.

Even with other teams engaging in trade talks with the Jazz, the Knicks have the best offer. The stars seem to be lining up for Mitchell to land in New York, which is apparently something that he (and Pitino) wants.

Rick Pitino says Donovan Mitchell would ‘treasure’ being with the Knicks

Oh, is that so? According to New York Post’s Marc Berman, Pitino wants Donovan Mitchell to end up on the Knicks, and based on what else Pitino said, Mitchell also wants to play in New York.

"“Donovan loves the Knicks,’’ Pitino said. “Donovan loves being around his mom, sister and dad. Donovan would treasure being a Knick. That being said, things have to work out. I’m hoping, keeping my fingers crossed that he becomes a Knick. It would be very special for me as a coach seeing him in a Knick uniform as an ex-Knick coach.”"

Shortly after Pitino was fired by Louisville in 2017, Mitchell spoke out on Twitter about how the coach helped him with his game.

Pitino likely wouldn’t speak out about how Mitchell feels about the possibility of joining New York if it wasn’t true, so this is good news for Knicks fans. An All-Star reportedly wants to call the Mecca his home, which could lead to other stars wanting to join him in New York as Berman reported.

Donovan Mitchell “loves the Knicks.” Danny Ainge can do his due diligence by speaking with teams outside of New York about the guard, but Pitino’s words only reaffirm that the best place for the 25-year-old to end up is NYC. We’ll continue to wait (not so) patiently.

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