After his final run with the Utah Jazz, Donovan Mitchell came within inches of becoming a New York Knick. Sadly for Knicks fans, the trade never panned out and he was sent to the Cleveland Cavaliers instead.
But now, there’s a real chance that the teams could meet as opponents in the NBA playoffs — and Mitchell says he’s ready for the matchup.
“It’s full circle. You wouldn’t want it any other way. What kid wouldn’t want to play against his hometown team in the playoffs?” Mitchell said. “I think for me, I wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s a storybook ending — it’s not ending, but it’s a storyline. Something that’s really special and near and dear to me, being able to play in a playoff game in front of my friends and family, the team that I grew up watching.”
It’s hard to say who would win in a series between such evenly-matched opponents, but the cavaliers do have one thing the Knicks do not: a bonafide superstar.
At this stage, Mitchell hasn’t yet made a run to the Finals like some of his peers, but his talent is undeniable and the Cavs have looked pretty great all season long as the 4th seed in the East.
If Mitchell does end up sending the Knicks home, however, it would be a brutal sting to the many Knicks fans who once pushed for Mitchell to be on their team instead.
Donovan Mitchell Thought Knicks Trade Was A Done Deal
It wasn’t long ago that Mitchell himself thought he was a Knick. As his exit from Utah was being orchestrated, there was a point when he was preparing to make the move.
“I was told it was RJ (Barrett) and hella (draft) picks. That’s what I heard. And I thought that was happening. I thought that was it,” said Mitchell. “I’m there (on the East Coast) all offseason. I’m there in the summer. So that’s why I thought, ‘All right, this is gonna be a long haul in Cleveland (if they gave up Garland, Mobley and/or Allen in the deal).”
In the end, it may actually be for the best that the Knicks struck out on Mitchell. They have a pretty well-rounded team now with the flexibility to add at least one major piece in the future.
Meanwhile, Mitchell gets to build something special on his own team in a situation perfectly suited for his game.
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