Knicks’ Donovan Mitchell trade talks hit snag as Jazz want ‘everything but the Statue of Liberty’
Initial discussions have made it clear to the Knicks that the price to obtain Donovan Mitchell from the Jazz is going to be incredibly steep, even if it appears RJ Barrett might not have to be a part of a potential blockbuster deal.
Trade talks between the teams have taken place this week to bring Mitchell, the All-Star guard who is a native of Westchester County, home to New York. But according to The Athletic, Utah CEO Danny Ainge has prioritized acquiring extra first-round picks and the Knicks’ inexpensive youngsters over Barrett, who is eligible for a max contract extension worth up to $185 million this summer.
ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski said Friday that the Jazz “have time on their side,” noting that Mitchell is under contract through 2025. He added that the Knicks remain “a motivated suitor,” but expects talks to be “an extended process over time” with negotiations likely to be “revisited in the coming weeks.”
The Jazz initially expressed interest in Barrett and center Mitchell Robinson, according to SNY, but Robinson now cannot be dealt until at least Dec. 15 after the Knicks re-signed the center last week to a four-year contract worth $60 million. The 22-year-old Barrett, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke, averaged a career-high 20 points in 70 games last season.
According to The Athletic, however, the rebuilding Jazz don’t want to commit long-term dollars to Barrett and instead asked the Knicks for up to six first-round draft picks and a combination of rookie-scale players such as Quentin Grimes, Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley and Miles McBride.
The report stated that Ainge decided to entertain offers for the 25-year-old Mitchell after acquiring a massive package — four first-round picks and multiple players — from the Timberwolves earlier this month for All-Star center Rudy Gobert. Utah also added a 2023 first-round pick last month from the Nets for forward Royce O’Neale.
The Knicks control 11 first-round selections over the next seven years, and eight of those are eligible to be included in trades this summer. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Grimes “is perhaps the lead target” among Knicks players for Utah, with either Evan Fournier or Derrick Rose also “likely” to be included in any agreement, for salary-cap purposes.
The Heat also are believed to be interested in obtaining Mitchell, although Miami likely would have to obtain initial draft-pick equity to match what the Knicks can offer.
Mitchell, a three-time All-Star who averaged 25.9 points last season, was selected 13th overall in the 2017 draft, five picks after the Knicks chose since-departed guard Frank Ntilikina. He would align with newly signed guard Jalen Brunson (four years, $104 million) in a revamped backcourt with the Knicks.
Mitchell, whose father, Donovan Sr., is the Mets’ senior director of player relations, will make a public appearance in New York this weekend. The former Louisville star is slated to throw out the first pitch Saturday before the Single-A Brooklyn Cyclones’ game — on Donovan Mitchell Jr. bobblehead night at Maimonides Park in Coney Island.