There have been a lot of discussions about the trade package that the Utah Jazz accepted from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell. In return for the three-time All-Star, the Jazz received Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton and Ochai Agbaji along with three unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps.
The first-round picks were reportedly the focus of the return for Danny Ainge, which is why the New York Knicks didn’t end up with Mitchell despite that being where he wanted to land. New York’s reported last offer included RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, two unprotected first-round picks, a top-five protected pick of their own, two pick swaps, two second-round picks.
That was an offer that Ainge declined and asked for more. More was offered when negotiations began in July, as the Knicks built a package that included Barrett, Obi Toppin, Mitchell Robinson and three unprotected first-round picks.
Why Ainge did not accept that is anyone’s guess, as there are people around the league who believe he wasn’t negotiating in good faith. It was reported that he would accept a lesser deal from another team, in this case, that team became the Cavaliers, to spite the Knicks.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers & New York Knicks Updates
A healthy debate can be held about which offer was better, but New York certainly brought a strong offer to the table that possessed some upside. According to the Daily News, the Knicks believe that they made the best offer for Mitchell and there are plenty of people that would agree.
“The Knicks, according to sources, feel like their proposals [for Donovan Mitchell] with RJ Barrett as the centerpiece with multiple first-round picks were better than the Cavs’ final offer, which is up to interpretation. Only Ainge knows if he negotiated in good faith. He’d never admit it if he didn’t.”
Leon Rose and the Knicks were reportedly the front runners from the start, but they were unable to finish a deal in the end.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers & New York Knicks Updates
It could be a blessing in disguise for them, as unloading more than what they offered in that final trade package would have put them in a tough spot heading into the future to upgrade the roster further.
