As training camp approaches, the New York Knicks are still hoping to pull off a last-minute trade for one of the NBA’s best young stars.
Unfortunately, the price to get him (Utah’s Donovan Mitchell) is extremely steep, and the Knicks have been hesitant to pay. But if, or when, the Knicks make a serious offer, what serious push, how far will they be willing to go, and what package would actually work?
According to Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report, a deal centered around Obi Toppin and Evan Fournier could work.
New York Knicks receive: Donovan Mitchell
Utah Jazz receive: Evan Fournier, Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley, 2025 first-round pick, 2025 first-round pick (top-four protected, via MIL), 2027 first-round pick and 2029 first-round pick. No, this isn’t the first or thousandth Mitchell-to-the-Knicks deal you’ve seen, but low-hanging fruit is still worth picking, folks. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Tony Jones, New York recently had an offer declined of Fournier, Toppin, salary-filler and five first-round picks (two unprotected). However, talks reportedly reached a “stalemate” as Utah wants four unprotected firsts, per Marc Berman of the New York Post.
This could be a realistic compromise with the Knicks upping their offer to include Quickley and three unprotected picks.
That’s a hefty sum for anyone, but New York hasn’t had a star like Mitchell since Carmelo Anthony resided in the Empire State. Mitchell entered this league as a 20-point scorer and has kept upping his production since. Last season, he set multiple career highs (5.3 assists and 3.5 threes among them) while posting his second-best scoring average (25.9).
After a taste of the sweet life for a season, the Knicks faded back into obscurity last campaign, where they struggled to find the same fire that made them so feared not long before.
But if they can get Donovan Mitchell, even if it comes at the cost of several key young players, it could put New York basketball back in the right direction.
