Report: Jazz, Knicks Re-engage Donovan Mitchell Trade Talks
Aug 16, 2022, 1:00 PM
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz scores a basket against Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half in Game Four of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Staples Center on June 14, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz and the New York Knicks have re-engaged in trade talks centered around Donovan Mitchell according to The Athletic.
The two teams had reportedly discussed a blockbuster deal centered around the All-Star guard earlier in the summer, but the talks broke off in recent weeks.
“After several weeks of no conversations, the Knicks and Jazz recently re-engaged in trade talks centered on Donovan Mitchell,” Charania tweeted.
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 Jazz are rumored to have set a high price point for Mitchell to match the return they got for Rudy Gobert who they traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in July.
In exchange for Gobert, the Jazz received four future first-round draft picks, a first-round pick swap, and five players of value.
The Jazz have reportedly requested a package of four young players from the Knicks including Miles McBride, Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley, and Quentin Grimes, plus as many as seven future first-round draft picks.
The Knicks have an abundance of young talent between the aforementioned names and fourth-year guard RJ Barrett, plus significant draft capital as a result of recent trades.
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.
Some In Jazz FO Want To Keep Mitchell
Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer appeared on a Knicks-based podcast over the weekend and reported that some members of the Jazz front office preferred to keep Mitchell this season.
“There are big portions of Utah leadership from my understanding that have never wanted to trade Donovan,” Fischer told The Knicks Film School podcast.
TOMORROW…
Author & NBA Insider @JakeLFischer joins @JCMacriNBA to discuss the Knicks offseason, Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant, his book "Built to Lose: How the NBA’s Tanking Era Changed the League Forever" & more!
🎥: https://t.co/vxn8kC7LjD
🎧: https://t.co/cq5RgHpS7K pic.twitter.com/y5OIH3hpIo— Knicks Film School (@KnickFilmSkool) August 12, 2022
Fischer initially reported that the Jazz may prefer to have two All-Stars on the roster this season as they prepare to host NBA All-Star weekend in February.
While the Jazz traded one of their two All-Stars earlier this summer, they’ve also been linked to Cleveland Cavaliers’ free agent Collin Sexton who could add more name value to the team’s roster.
“I still think they’re looking at some type of sign and trade with Collin Sexton to try and add a piece around Donovan Mitchell,” Fischer reported.
The Jazz are set to open the preseason on October 2 against the Toronto Raptors.
