Donovan Mitchell, Miami Heat Share Mutual Trade Interest

Donovan Mitchell, Miami Heat, NBA Trade Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

Trade talks centered around Utah Jazz All-Star Donovan Mitchell have focused mostly on their talks with the New York Knicks ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season. It makes sense as New York has by far the most assets to build a trade package with to check off as many boxes as possible to appease the Jazz.

Alas, the teams seem to constantly come to stalemates. The Jazz thought the Knicks were bluffing earlier this week when they set a deadline for a trade to get completed or they would move on with other business. New York was not, as late Monday night, it was announced that they had worked out a four-year deal worth up to $120 million for RJ Barrett.

Barrett had been a sticking point in negotiations. He originally was not involved in trade rumors and then was on the table. That changed the draft compensation heading to Utah, but now he is effectively out of the trade talks after he signed an extension with a poison pill.

Trade negotiations are still ongoing between the two sides, but they have to essentially start over again with Barrett off the table. This could provide a chance for another team to get involved.

While the Knicks have been the team mentioned most often, there are other potential suitors. One of which could be the Miami Heat. They have been on Mitchell’s preferred landing spot list and you can never count Pat Riley out when it comes to swinging a blockbuster deal.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz & Miami Heat Updates

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, via NBACentral, the feeling is mutual. As much as Mitchell likes Miami, they like him.

“I think Donovan Mitchell would love to play for Miami. I think the Heat would love to have him.”

Landing in South Beach certainly has its perks. The Heat would likely become favorites not only to win the Eastern Conference but win the NBA Championship with the addition of Mitchell. A core of him, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Kyle Lowry with a potential supporting cast of Victor Oladipo, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin and Dewayne Dedmond is a strong rotation.

The Miami standing in trade talks for Mitchell does almost solely rely on what the Jazz think about Tyler Herro. Eligible for his rookie extension this offseason, he would likely be the centerpiece of any offer.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz & Miami Heat Updates

If Ainge and company believe Herro is capable of taking his game to another level and turning into an All-Star, he is a strong centerpiece. If they believe he won’t achieve more than the Sixth Man of the Year award he won this past season, the Heat have a relatively weak offer given their lack of draft capital.

The fact that Ainge and Riley also have disdain for each other won’t make negotiations any easier. They will not relent to trade demands that the other proposes, making a deal between the Jazz and Heat seem very unlikely.

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