Donovan Mitchell NY Talks Stall
When the Utah Jazz traded three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves, people knew it was only a matter of time before the team would complete their tear down and move All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell elsewhere as well.
That decision came despite the fact that Mitchell did not request a trade and General Manager Justin Zanik insisting earlier that they had no intention of trading the 25-year-old guard out of Louisville.
However, Quin Synder’s resignation as head coach was merely the first domino to fall. Then came a bombshell Gobert trade, whose massive return has caused ripples across the league as teams look to move players this offseason. Then, the Jazz announced that they would listen to trade offers- including those involving Donovan Mitchell.
Of course, nothing has materialized to date with regards to the Donovan Mitchell situation yet as Utah’s asking price is significant for their young star.
New York Talks Stall
Of all the teams linked to the Mitchell trade, the New York Knicks are among the most determined to make a deal happen. In fact, many pundits believe the Knicks have a better shot at landing Mitchell than any team in the NBA right now.
However reports indicate that talks haven’t progressed and the teams haven’t talked in two weeks. In other words, we’re nowhere near a potential Mitchell deal due in large parts to the astronomical price tag the Jazz are seeking.
According to sources, the Jazz’s initial asking price included Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, Miles McBride, and SIX first-round draft picks. Utah also didn’t want to take on RJ Barrettt and his hefty paycheck.
The problem for the Jazz is this: they want a king’s ransom worth of draft picks in addition to multiple young players if they’re to trade Donovan Mitchell. But Mitchell himself doesn’t come without his own set of question marks, as teams are leery of how he looked on the defensive end of the floor down the stretch and into the playoffs last year.
Granted, Mitchell led the Jazz to the playoffs in each of the past five seasons, but he currently possesses a 17-22 win-loss record to go alongside 3 first round exits. While he’s had his moments in the playoffs, the team hasn’t advanced past the second round despite their perennially high seed in the Western Conference.
Utah Looking For Other Options
Now that the talks with the Knicks have faltered, Utah has begun to look for asuitable destination for Donovan Mitchell elsewhere.
Per Shams Charania, the team is ready to talk to other organizations about a Donovan Mitchell focused trade. The good news is: several teams have already expressed their interest in Mitchell including the Charlotte Hornets and the Washington Wizards. The Miami Heat are also in the running to acquire the guard, although Miami doesn’t appear to have the necessary picks/players to pull off a deal that would net them Mitchell while retaining their existing core.
There was even a brief suggestion that the Jazz could trade Mitchell to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for one Russell Westbrook but that’s more likely to have been floated out by Lakers rep than anything.
While the New York talks may have stalled, it doesn’t mean it’s over. Whether Utah likes it or not, the Knicks still have the best possible package the Jazz could get in exchange for Mitchell. However at this point, a 3rd team may need to get involved to help get a potential deal across the finish line.
-Iggy Gonzales
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