Donovan Mitchell is a name that has frequently been mentioned in trade rumors this offseason. The Utah Jazz are clearly in rebuilding mode, as evidenced by them moving Rudy Gobert, and it seems as though Donovan Mitchell will be the next domino to fall.
A team that Donovan Mitchell has frequently been linked to during the summer is the New York Knicks. A trade has not happened between the two teams yet, and perhaps that is due to the Jazz’s exorbitant demands. Stephen A. Smith has recently revealed that the Utah Jazz want RJ Barrett and “at least” six first-round picks to send Donovan Mitchell to the New York Knicks.
Stephen A Smith on SiriumXM w/ @RickKamlaSports this afternoon when asked about potential Mitchell deal:
"Utah didn't want Julius Randle, from what I'm told. They don't want him. The Knicks were willing to unload him. They want RJ Barrett. They want at least 6 1st-round picks." pic.twitter.com/9Nn7DuwlZe
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) August 18, 2022
“Utah didn’t want Julius Randle, from what I’m told. They don’t want him. The Knicks were willing to unload him. Utah don’t want him. They want RJ Barrett. They want at least six first round picks.”
That is a lot to give up for a single player, even if it is for a player of Donovan Mitchell’s caliber. RJ Barrett is a promising two-way wing, and on top of that, the amount of draft compensation that the Utah Jazz are asking for is absolutely insane. Stephen A. Smith’s report corroborates previous suggestions that it would take a “historic” amount of draft picks for the Knicks to acquire Donovan Mitchell.
Perhaps giving up that huge trade package for Donovan Mitchell could be worth it for the New York Knicks. They have not had a top-tier star on their roster since Carmelo Anthony, and perhaps Donovan Mitchell could become the new face of their franchise.
If the New York Knicks do get Donovan Mitchell, they will instantly become a much more competitive team. They will likely become a play-in/low playoff seed team with his addition, which will put them one step closer to being top-tier contenders in the Eastern Conference.
