Donovan Mitchell has quickly become the name on the lips of every NBA fan and reporter as he is officially the last major asset available for acquisition prior to the beginning of training camp. Kevin Durant withdrew his trade request with the Brooklyn Nets, but the Jazz can’t undo the Rudy Gobert trade that clearly indicated the team wants to rebuild.
Mitchell is an extremely valuable young player around the league, as he just completed his fifth season in the NBA this season. The Jazz may be his home for a little while longer, but he is bound to get upset that he is playing on a team that is fully committing to a rebuild.
The New York Knicks are easily Mitchell’s biggest suitor, looking to bring the boy from Rochester back to his hometown. Even Donovan’s college coach from his time in Louisville feels like he should end up in New York. Rick Pitino spoke to Marc Berman of the NY Post and revealed how thrilled Mitchell would be to become a part of the Knicks.
Iona coach and basketball legend Rick Pitino says his former player Donovan Mitchell would “treasure” being a Knick.
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) August 23, 2022
“Donovan loves the Knicks. Donovan loves being around his mom, sister and dad. Donovan would treasure being a Knick. That being said, things have to work out. I’m hoping, keeping my fingers crossed that he becomes a Knick. It would be very special for me as a coach seeing him in a Knick uniform as an ex-Knick coach.”
“Brunson and Donovan Mitchell, that’s a helluva backcourt. Both are winners. They both are terrific people. I hope it happens certainly. It would be great for the Knicks and everybody who follows the Knicks.’’ (h/t NY Post)
Every professional athlete wants to play at home in front of their family and the people they grew up with. That opportunity is ripe for the taking for Mitchell if he gets moved to New York. While Danny Ainge is playing hardball, there isn’t a team with more assets to offer than the Knicks at the moment.
Hopefully, Mitchell can get his family reunion and become a member of the New York Knicks to put the cherry on top of one of the weirdest offseasons in recent memory.
