Report: Details Emerge In Knicks Offer For Donovan Mitchell
Aug 22, 2022, 1:55 PM
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) stretches to block a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman (16) during the first half of the game at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – New specifics are emerging on what a potential Donovan Mitchell trade package would look like between the Utah Jazz and the New York Knicks.
According to reports from The Athletic, the Knicks have offered the Jazz Evan Fournier, Obi Toppin, additional salary filler, two unprotected first-round picks, and three additional first-rounders for Mitchell.
After months of speculation, that’s the most detailed report of what the blockbuster deal might include.
The deal Shams reported is Evan Fournier, Obi Toppin, salary filler*, five firsts, including two unprotected.
*Have to understand salary filler is the phrase being used to hide which of RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish, Quentin Grimes, or Immanuel Quickley would be included.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) August 22, 2022
The key in this negotiation would have to center around which picks are included in the five first-rounders the Knicks have reportedly offered, and who would make up the remaining salary to complete the deal.
After trading Royce O’Neale for a first-round pick earlier in the summer and sending Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Jazz have the cap space to acquire additional salary in a trade with the Knicks beyond Mitchell’s $30 million next season.
That means the Jazz and Knicks would have significant wiggle room to negotiate additional names including RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley, or Miles McBride, each of whom has been mentioned in previous reports to make the trade work financially.
Regardless of the names hidden behind the guise of salary filler, this is the most substantive report to emerge between the two sides as they negotiate a deal centered around the three-time All-Star.
After several weeks of no conversations, the Knicks and Jazz recently re-engaged in trade talks centered on Donovan Mitchell, sources tell me and @Tjonesonthenba.
Story at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/Z4sRvsbCaw
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 16, 2022
The Knicks initially rebuffed the Jazz offer which reportedly included seven first-round draft picks and the full cupboard of New York’s young players in exchange for Mitchell.
After a brief hiatus in talks between late July and early August, the two teams re-engaged in conversations centered around the Jazz guard.
Mitchell, 25, is coming off his third consecutive All-Star season where he averaged 25.9 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.2 rebounds.
The guard signed a five-year, $163 million extension in November of 2020 and has three years, plus a player option for the fourth year remaining on his deal.
