Knicks are lucky Jazz didn’t accept this reported Donovan Mitchell trade offer
Last week, the New York Knicks-Donovan Mitchell saga finally came to a close, but it wasn’t the ending that many were expecting. In a stunning turn of events, the 25-year-old was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz were able to get what they were looking for from another team in the East.
Ainge was in search of three unprotected first-round picks, which is something that the Knicks reportedly didn’t offer, but the Cavaliers did. However, that doesn’t mean that Utah got an overall better offer from Cleveland, as it was reported that New York offered up a package that consisted of RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Evan Fournier, two unprotected first-round picks, and a couple of protected picks and pick swaps.
Say what? And Ainge turned that down? That in itself goes to show that the Jazz were trying to squeeze as much as possible out of the Knicks. Truthfully, that’s an offer that every New York fan should be thankful that Utah didn’t accept.
The Knicks reportedly offered the Jazz a hefty package for Donovan Mitchell
For reference, here’s what Utah got in return from Cleveland: Collin Sexton (via a sign-and-trade), Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, a 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 pick swap, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 pick swap, and a 2029 first-round pick.
Based on what the Knicks reportedly offered, Fournier was the least desirable player included in the deal since the Jazz were looking for younger players. However, Utah should’ve been satisfied with Barrett, Toppin, and two unprotected picks. With the Jazz fully embracing the rebuilding period after trading Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the beginning of July, one would think that Ainge would jump at the opportunity to have both Barrett and Toppin instead of a third unprotected pick.
As mentioned, it’s a good thing for New York that Utah didn’t accept the offer, though. The Knicks proceeded to sign Barrett to a four-year, $120 million extension, meaning that because of the poison pill provision, it would’ve been difficult to include the 22-year-old in a trade to the Jazz.
New York not trading for Donovan Mitchell doesn’t set the Knicks back as many have assumed, and if Utah would’ve accepted the above offer from the Knicks, that would’ve likely set the organization back.
However, New York should’ve never been willing to part with that much in order to get Mitchell. It seems as if the failed Donovan Mitchell trade was a blessing in disguise for the Knicks. Because of the team’s young core, along with the addition of Jalen Brunson, the future is still bright in New York.
