In their sixth game of the regular season, the New York Knicks will face Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Ohio. This is not only an important Eastern Conference test, but it’s the first time that the Knicks will go up against the All-Star guard that many assumed would end up in New York.
Cleveland’s started out the year 4-1 with wins over Chicago, Washington, Orlando, and Boston. Mitchell’s averaging 31 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 47.8% from the field and 40.5% from the three-point line. To no surprise, he’s looked great.
It’s hard to not wonder what the Knicks would look like right now if a trade would’ve gone through, and it’s still very early in the season, but there are reasons to be glad that a trade didn’t happen. None of this is a knock against Mitchell, who would’ve undoubtedly made New York better. The Knicks have caught flak for “missing out” on another star, but even without Mitchell, the team has been able to turn some heads thanks to one key offseason addition not named Donovan Mitchell.
Since it isn’t worthwhile to think about what could’ve been, let’s look at three silver linings of New York not trading for Donovan Mitchell.
3 positives that are a result of the Knicks not trading for Donovan Mitchell
3: Knicks didn’t cave to Danny Ainge’s demands
This one is obvious. Soon after the Utah Jazz traded Rudy Gobert and made it known that they were willing to have discussions about Donovan Mitchell, it turned into New York or nowhere. The discussions between the Jazz and the Knicks reportedly stalled out soon after they started, and that was the result of Danny Ainge’s demands.
Of course, Ainge wasn’t going to let Mitchell go for a couple of first-round picks and a couple of role players, especially given what Utah got in return for Gobert. Reports were going around about what New York apparently had offered and what Utah was in search of. Ultimately, the Jazz ended up getting three unprotected first-round picks, two pick swaps, and three players from the Cavaliers. The Knicks could’ve given that up, but didn’t.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, New York made offers that included RJ Barrett and offers that included Quentin Grimes (who was thought to be untouchable), but Utah wanted both. So, yes, it’s a good thing that Mitchell’s in Cleveland.
2: Jalen Brunson takeover
In July, Jalen Brunson signed a four-year, $104 million contract with the Knicks in free agency. Shortly after that, the attention shifted to Donovan Mitchell possibly making his way to New York to join Brunson in the backcourt. The Spida trade saga drowned out the Brunson signing, but now that the regular season’s underway, Brunson’s one of the most talked about guards in the East.
The 26-year-old point guard has been more than a welcome change to the Knicks. In the overtime win against the Hornets on Wednesday, Brunson scored a game-high 27 points (10-for-15), a career-high 13 assists, and seven rebounds. That game shouldn’t have gone to overtime, but last season’s team most likely would’ve found a way to lose. Thanks to Brunson, that didn’t happen.
After Brunson signed with New York, there was plenty of speculation about if he would be able to perform as well without playing alongside Luka Doncic. Early on, he’s already shut down that notion. Brunson’s capable of taking games over, and if Mitchell were on the Knicks, Brunson would understandably have a lesser role.
Brunson taking New York by storm has been so much fun to watch. The Knicks may not have a “star” on their roster yet, but their new point guard sure is looking like one.
1: Knicks’ depth
If Donovan Mitchell would’ve been traded to the Knicks, the team’s depth would’ve taken a hit. Along with the three unprotected first-round picks that Ainge and the Jazz wanted, New York would’ve had to say goodbye to some combination of players between Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, Cam Reddish, and Miles McBride.
The Knicks’ bench has stood out so far this season, and Grimes has yet to play in a game due to a sore left foot. Toppin has proven that he’s more than ready to take on an increased role, Quickley’s game has taken a turn, and Reddish has a chance to be a regular face in the rotation based on how he’s looked. New York’s depth is going to be a reason why the team will be able to win games against better opponents.
Mitchell’s production on the offensive end would have set the Knicks apart. There’s no doubt about that. Because he’s with the Cavaliers though, New York got to keep hold of its young core. The Knicks’ bench has a level of talent that other teams can’t match.
After ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski shocked the NBA world by reporting that Donovan Mitchell was going to Cleveland, disappointment flooded New York’s fan base. Here we are nearly two months later, and things aren’t looking near as bad as they did then. And you know what would make things even better? A win over the Cavaliers tonight.
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