Jan 6, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
What assets could be included in a Knicks trade for Donovan Mitchell?
In recent days, it has been known that the New York Knicks have been in trade discussions for the Jazz’s All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell. That deal would include a large number of assets from the Knicks.
There has been a lot of speculation about the type of package New York would have to offer to Utah, which would most likely include a plethora of first-round picks, in addition to one (or even a few) of their young players. This begs the question:
Which Knicks assets could be sent to Utah in a trade for Donovan Mitchell?
Recent reports have stated that of all the young guys on the Knicks, shooting guard Quentin Grimes is thought to be a point of interest for the Jazz (subscription required).
Grimes has been a part of the 2022 Summer League squad and has proven his worth to New York’s management in just four games, averaging 23.5 points on 43.7% shooting from the field.
He has also facilitated well, averaging 4.3 assists per contest, putting his game on full display for not just the Knicks, but other interested teams, such as the Jazz.
In addition to Grimes, what else could Utah be looking at?
The Jazz picked up a ton of first-round picks just a few weeks ago when they sent three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Considering Mitchell has proven himself on both sides of the floor, more specifically on the offensive end, the former Louisville guard will pick up a hefty price of picks that the Knicks would need to pay in order to get him.
The three-time All-Star and high-flying dunker will be turning 26 this September.
The Knicks have four of their own first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027, 2029) that are unprotected and would be of significant interest to the Utah Jazz.
New York also has four protected picks that were acquired in trades, most recently dishing the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Ousmane Dieng, to the Oklahoma City Thunder for three first-round picks.
The most valuable of those protected picks is Dallas’ 2023 pick (protected from picks 1-10), and Milwaukee’s 2025 pick (protected from picks 1-4), both of which will likely convert due to the future success plans of both the Mavericks and the Bucks.
If I’m the Knicks, I’d include both the Milwaukee and Dallas picks, while adding three of their own unprotected picks as well (at the very least).
Worst case scenario would be including all four of their unprotected picks, which could be the case since Mitchell is an extremely coveted player in today’s game with other teams such as the Miami Heat looking to get into the mix.
As far as players go, it’ll be intriguing to see who the Jazz are interested in. Mitchell will make around $30 million this season, so assets such as Julius Randle, Evan Fournier, and Derrick Rose have bigger contracts that could fulfill the trade for the Knicks.
It is currently unknown who Utah is interested in outside of Grimes, and I doubt that the Jazz want any of the Knicks’ older players, despite them being solid assets that could be flipped for even more picks.
New York should offer up whatever assets it can (outside of RJ Barrett) to get Mitchell since Utah will most likely play the waiting game should the front office not see a deal they like.
The Knicks’ assets are some of the best in the league right now and New York shouldn’t hesitate on a deal with Utah.
It will be a nerve-wracking couple of days (or weeks) as this all unfolds, and hopefully, things will fall in favor of the Knicks.
