Did the Knicks really miss out on Donovan Mitchell?
Photo Courtesy of Blazer’s Edge
Former Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers on September 1, 2022. While fans and media analyzed the trade, the New York Knicks were constantly mentioned due to their ties to Mitchell and previous reports suggesting that it was the Knicks’ race to lose in acquiring the star guard.
Ties To the Knicks
It seems every marquee free agent or disgruntled star who demanded a trade ends up in rumors that the Knicks will land them. However, this time it felt different, as Mitchell grew up in New York, and the Knicks were mentioned along with the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets as his preferred destinations. In addition, the Knicks were aggressive in their trade talks and were known as the main team involved in negotiations with the Jazz.
The Cavs land spida
The Cavs surprisingly landed Mitchell after no known involvement in trade talks with Utah. In the trade, Utah acquired Cavs first-rounder Ochai Agbaji, Colin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, three unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2027, and 2029), and two first-round pick swaps (2026 and 2028).
It was evident from the Rudy Gobert trade that the Jazz coveted young players and first-round picks. The Cavs met their asking price and paired the three-time All-Star with promising point guard Darius Garland and talented bigs Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
The Knicks offer
ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Knicks offered RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Mitchell Robinson, and three unprotected first-rounders for Mitchell. However, the Knicks never increased their offer and ultimately signed Barrett to a contract extension just days before Mitchell was sent to Cleveland. This trade offer is arguably stronger than the ultimate package the Cavs sent the Jazz, but it was not accepted.
Impact on the Knicks
The Mitchell trade falling through allows the Knicks to keep their young talent, develop them, and have flexibility with their picks. Barrett is coming off a season where he averaged a career-high 20 points per game and excelled as the first scoring option after the All-Star break. The 22-year-old has improved each year and possibly has a higher ceiling than Mitchell. The Knicks also keep two young, promising pieces of their roster in Toppin and Robinson, who also flashed serious potential last season.
There is no question the East has tons of talented teams, and the Knicks, even with Mitchell, would not necessarily be amongst the elite tier. Shipping off Barrett, Toppin, and Robinson for the 6-1 guard would create serious defensive concerns in the Knicks’ backcourt and diminish the roster’s depth.
Mitchell ending up in Cleveland allows the Knicks to remain a playoff-contending team while developing their young talent and controlling their first-round picks for future draft selections or trades.
