Many saw the writing on the wall that a hard ceiling being reached would result in the Utah Jazz tearing their roster apart. That has become a reality this NBA offseason. Quin Snyder resigned, Rudy Gobert has already been traded, and Donovan Mitchell is next.
The Jazz organization has walked on eggshells when building around Mitchell for years. Since bringing Danny Ainge into the fold now, things have changed. The team has operated under the desire of continuing to re-tool around Mitchell but remain open to trading Mitchell if a significant trade offer that meets their standard is offered.
“You’re over the tax, no draft picks, and our team loses in the first round,” Ainge said on Saturday. “It wasn’t fun for us. We want it to be fun for our fans and our players, but we just haven’t had much flexibility to do anything over the last little while.”
The New York Knicks have been linked to Mitchell for years as a potential trade destination. The CAA connection has been well-documented and after the acquisition of Jalen Brunson, it seems they are working to turn their grand plan into a reality.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: New York Knicks ‘Quickly’ Expected To Pursue Utah Jazz Star Donovan Mitchell Trade
According to Shams Charania and Tony Jones of The Athletic, the Utah Jazz and New York Knicks have begun trade discussions centered around Donovan Mitchell. There have been discussions of a framework over the last 24 hours.
As a league source has indicated to NBA Analysis Network, the Jazz are seeking a trade return for Mitchell rich in draft capital. The Knicks have eight first-round picks and are well equipped to acquire him, but they have yet to present their best draft pick-oriented trade package. There is a limited trade landscape for such an offer since most teams stockpiling picks are rebuilding.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: New York Knicks ‘Quickly’ Expected To Pursue Utah Jazz Star Donovan Mitchell Trade
The Miami Heat are another team that has been often linked as having interest in a Donovan Mitchell trade in the event he were to become available. They have been focused primarily on the Kevin Durant sweepstakes and view Mitchell as a fallback option. They also would need to find a third-team to take on Tyler Herro in order to send assets to the Jazz.
Given that Herro is soon going to be due for a large contract extension, it remains to be seen which trade suitor would be willing to send Utah significant draft capital to acquire him as a third team. Other teams will likely emerge in trade conversations, but again, the type of return that Utah seeks limits the options in the market.