2 Knicks trade packages that could get a Donovan Mitchell deal done

With the New York Knicks now months into trade talks with the Utah Jazz regarding star guard Donovan Mitchell, it’s time to reflect. Fans everywhere have their fingers crossed that the two sides will make something happen before the league opens up for training camp.

After about a month of the two sides not discussing, the Knicks and the Jazz reopened talks (subscription required) for the former Louisville guard.

The Knicks were originally hesitant to make a deal with Utah since the Jazz were looking not only for a significant amount of picks but some of New York’s young core as well. Something to point out thus far in trade talks is that Leon Rose has stood his ground. His resiliency shows fans that as much as he wants to get a trade for Mitchell done, he wants it to be done at the right price.

The Knicks have the players and draft capital to get something done, but Rose’s ideology is to get it done at the right price.

The question that remains, however, is what a trade for Donovan Mitchell looks like. With what seems like endless amounts of trade rumors, there’s only going to be one trade.

What do the Knicks need to do to get Donovan Mitchell to Manhattan?

To start, the Knicks will need to make their best effort at matching salaries with Mitchell’s contract (he is slated to make $30 million next season). Since none of the Knicks’ young players would be able to match that salary, New York would have to add one of their veterans into the deal to balance the trade out.

Trade candidates that would satisfy this part of the deal would include Julius Randle, Evan Fournier, and Derrick Rose. With the front office’s reported belief in Julius Randle and strong connections with Derrick Rose, it seems evident that Fournier would likely be the one to head to Utah.

From there, it’s a matter of what Jazz President Danny Ainge is looking for. Of New York’s eight tradable first-round picks, Utah reportedly wants all four unprotected picks along with two protected picks. This is where it becomes difficult. Leon Rose and the Knicks front office have been willing to deal up to three of those unprotected picks.

For the Knicks to give up the entirety of their future would be rash, and adding two protected picks into the mix would guarantee the Jazz some other picks as well, even if those protected picks don’t convert.

Even if New York reluctantly gives Utah the picks that Ainge is looking for, the Jazz still seek some of the Knicks’ young core. Obi Toppin has been a big name as of late, as the Knicks continue to buy into Randle after giving him a large contract. New York is reportedly hoping that Randle can return to the player he was in the 2020-21 season and the organization seems to believe that he can succeed.

The other name that remains at large is Quentin Grimes. Both Leon Rose and Ainge value Grimes in a Mitchell deal, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up playing this season.

Of these two, I can see either player moving, as both youngsters have had promising starts to their careers in this league.

Most fans would likely say that they’d prefer to keep Grimes over Toppin, and I’d agree with them. With Grimes’ solid offensive skillset and huge defensive potential, it would be hard for New York to say goodbye to him.

As it stands currently, the Knicks made the Jazz yet another offer, the most they’ve been willing to give up to date:

Considering that this is a substantial amount of capital for Donovan Mitchell and the Jazz are looking for a “significant upgrade,” it seems like the Knicks should be looking elsewhere with their assets.

While a significant upgrade seems like a stretch for the Knicks, they should consider upping the price at the very least. Adding players such as Cam Reddish and Miles McBride would give those players an opportunity on a rebuilding team and would thin out a very full backcourt for New York.

I’d still be hesitant to give up a fourth unprotected pick, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to tack on another protected pick. With six total first-round picks, the Knicks could be in luck.

What would a Knicks-Jazz Donovan Mitchell trade look like?

Here’s what the final deal could look like if the trade were to be made by the two teams:

This, give or take with a few adjustments, could be what New York and Utah are faced with when the deal (hopefully) goes down.

The Knicks would benefit from looping the Lakers into a three-team trade

The Knicks are going to do everything in their power to hold onto “the farm” and keep some draft picks should another star become available for trade. That could mean that they get involved with another team. Who might that team be? The Los Angeles Lakers.

Adding the Lakers into the mix would ease the Knicks’ pain in a Mitchell deal. The Lakers have two of their own first-round picks that they can deal, meaning that the Knicks would have to give up less.

Not to mention, if Los Angeles sends Russell Westbrook in a deal, Utah could buy him out immediately and free up cap room for the future.

If the Lakers were to join talks with the Jazz and the Knicks, here’s what we could be looking at:

This deal looks to be the most ideal for the Knicks, as they wouldn’t need to give up as many of their first-round picks.

With this type of deal, each team in the trade would be getting what they’re looking for: the Knicks would get a superstar, the Jazz could finally kick off their rebuilding phase, and the Lakers would add quality veterans to the mix to get back into title contention.

This is the best situation for all teams involved, and without one of these teams, it makes the circumstances more difficult. Fans can only pray at this point for this type of deal to happen. It has been rumored that this could happen, but no official reports as of late.

With training camp getting closer every day, the ball is in the Knicks’ court to get the deal done, with other teams trying to take a stab at Mitchell, now that he is one of the only stars left on the trade market.

What trading Obi Toppin in a Donovan Mitchell deal would mean for the Knicks

The New York Knicks trading Obi Toppin for All-Star Donovan Mitchell would be a defining move in Leon Rose's tenure as president.