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Knicks-Donovan Mitchell trade chatter clearly has Cavaliers fans worried

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks tries to keep the ball from Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter during Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 23, 2023 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 102-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks tries to keep the ball from Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter during Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 23, 2023 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 102-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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If you thought that the New York Knicks-Donovan Mitchell trade chatter wouldn’t be a thing this offseason, think again. Rather than it consuming the entire offseason like it did last year, the idea of a trade happening sometime in the next couple of years is becoming more of a possibility.

Mitchell was traded to the Cavaliers on Sept. 1, and he made it clear after the fact that he assumed that he’d be going to the Knicks. Cleveland emerged as a potential landing spot late in the summer and winded up shocking the NBA realm by meeting Danny Ainge’s demands. It was a deal that helped the Cavaliers finish as the No. 4 team in the East and make it back to the playoffs for the first time since the LeBron James era.

Ultimately, New York got the best of Cleveland after ousting the Cavaliers in five games in the first round of the playoffs. It was viewed as a fitting end to the Donovan Mitchell-Knicks talk, but that was before the All-Star guard raved about what it was like to play at Madison Square Garden in the postseason. It isn’t unusual for a non-Knicks player to enjoy playing at the World’s Most Famous Arena, but Mitchell’s comments have turned into something more.

Even Cavaliers fans are starting to wonder if Mitchell could be traded to the Knicks before his current contract runs on. In Chris Fedor’s mailbag for Cleveland.com (subscription required), one fan asked what Cleveland fans should think about the Mitchell to the Knicks chatter.

Are the New York Knicks still thinking about a Donovan Mitchell trade?

Chris Fedor wrote that if Donovan Mitchell still has the desire to play for his hometown team, there isn’t anything that Cleveland can do about that. Fedor went on to explore the idea of a trade and what it would take for Mitchell to reach that point.

Out of everything that Fedor wrote, though, here’s the line that should stick out the most to every Knicks fan: “Many I’ve spoken to around the league believe Mitchell is destined to go there in a few years.”

After the 26-year-old was traded to the Cavaliers last year, there were Knicks fans that didn’t lose hope that one day Mitchell would be in New York. The idea of that happening isn’t as far-fetched as it may sound. He’s under contract through the 2024-25 season and has a $37 million player option for 2025-26 that he could opt out of to become an unrestricted free agent. If he is a free agent in 2025, the Knicks could sign him then.

However, if the Cavaliers aren’t able to make the necessary moves, Mitchell could want a trade before the 2025 offseason. Just like it played out with the Jazz, the Knicks might emerge as a landing spot for the guard depending on what New York’s roster would look like at that point. If the Knicks were in a position to get him again, would the front office be willing to meet the Cavaliers’ demands this go-round?

Maybe Donovan Mitchell playing for the Knicks is destiny. Stars being traded from one team to another is becoming more of a common theme in today’s NBA. If Mitchell truly wants to come home, what will stop him from getting his wish?

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