The biggest trade saga of the offseason has obviously taken place in New York, with the Brooklyn Nets possibly losing both the stars they beat the Knicks to sign in 2019. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving don’t want to be there anymore as the Nets look to somehow make their current situation work.
By not signing KD and Kyrie in 2019, the New York Knicks kept their roster young and developing, giving them plenty of trade assets and players coming through the roster. The team added Jalen Brunson to give them stability at point guard and make a genuine push for the playoffs once again. But outside the Nets, there is a much quieter trade saga people haven’t talked about as much.
Donovan Mitchell is presumably on his way out of the Utah Jazz. Out of all the teams linked, his hometown New York Knicks seem to be the team with the best asset pool to lure the Jazz into trading Mitchell to them. While no trade has yet been announced, Mitchell has spent his offseason in NY. As a result, Mitchell went to the iconic ‘Rucker Park’ and was pitched to join the team by the fans and iconic rapper Fat Joe.
@FatJoe: "I haven't seen [Rucker] Park this exciting in years. It brings back the golden years… I may even see Donovan Mitchell–it's insane. If only he could become a Knick… New York has answered–they want Donovan Mitchell to be a Knick. You see the people–they out here." pic.twitter.com/FNp7M758r1
— Jennifer X. Williams (@JenXperience) August 19, 2022
“I haven’t seen the (Rucker) Park this excited in years. It brings back the golden years, I am happy that people are out here having a great time. I am here to see Tracy Morgan, I am here to see Donovan Mitchell. It’s insane. If only he could become a Knick. New York has answered, New York has answered, they want Donovan Mitchell to be a Knick.”
Mitchell would give the Knicks a massive boost heading into next season. The Knicks putting out a lineup of Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, and Micthell Robinson could be formidable in the Eastern Conference.
The Jazz are still in a position where they can rebuild around Mitchell and try and create a new contending team, but at this point, it may be best for the Jazz to cut their losses and trade Mitchell while his trade value is still high.
