2: A three-team trade with the Lakers that would meet the Jazz’s demands
A three-team trade involving LA would help New York meet Utah’s ridiculous demands for Donovan Mitchell. The Jazz reportedly value RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, and Obi Toppin in a deal (subscription required). Now that Barrett’s signed an extension with the Knicks that includes a poison pill provision, the Jazz may demand both Grimes and Toppin.
Clearly, New York should do everything that it can to not lose both Grimes and Toppin, but if that’s what ends up happening, a deal could look something like this:
Because the Knicks would lose both Grimes and Toppin, the Jazz should be happy to receive only two first-round picks from New York. Nonetheless, we all know how Danny Ainge is.
The Lakers would give up both of their first-round picks because they’d be receiving Evan Fournier, Cam Reddish, and Jordan Clarkson. This deal would allow for Reddish to get the larger role that he’s looking for, but it’d come at a steep price for the Knicks.
New York and Utah have been engaging in trade talks off and on for a couple of months now, so it’s a good sign that the Knicks haven’t been willing to give up everything in order to get Donovan Mitchell. It’s hard to envision Leon Rose making a deal such as the one above, but it seems to be what Utah’s in search of. There’s a better option, though…