SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 07: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action during the first half of a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 07, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Bleacher Report’s Donovan Mitchell-Knicks trade package likely not enough for Jazz
Until it’s reported that trade talks have ramped up between the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz, Donovan Mitchell packages are going to continue to float around on the Internet. The latest has come from Bleacher Report, but given how things stand right now, it likely wouldn’t be enough for Danny Ainge.
According to Marc Stein (subscription required), the Jazz are looking for seven to eight first-round picks on top of a few young players. Keep in mind that Utah got five first-round picks and five players in exchange for Rudy Gobert, so the market has been inflated. But seven or eight first-round picks? That’s asking too much.
Reportedly, New York’s front office is willing to give up either four or five first-round picks for Mitchell. That’s still a lot, but it’s much more reasonable than what Ainge is currently looking for. And that’s what it’s going to take to trade for a player like Mitchell.
Bleacher Report’s attempted to be a voice of reason amongst all of the chaos with its trade proposal. And hey, who knows, maybe a package similar to the one that Andy Bailey proposed will end up being what brings Mitchell home to New York.
Bleacher Report included four first-round picks in their Donovan Mitchell to Knicks trade package
Here are the trade details:
Knicks Get
Donovan Mitchell
Jazz Get
Evan Fournier
Quentin Grimes
Cam Reddish
2023 first-round pick, 2025 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick
Yes, it would be tough to part ways with Quentin Grimes, especially after how he performed in the NBA Summer League earlier this month. But it likely wouldn’t affect Knicks fans much to see Evan Fournier and Cam Reddish leave, although the latter is eligible for an extension, which could keep the Jazz away.
Based on what Ainge is asking for right now, this particular trade proposal would likely cause fans to breathe a sigh of relief. Some may not be willing to part ways with four of New York’s eight tradable first-round picks, but again, Mitchell’s not going to come at a cheap price.
And if you’re waiting for a trade to happen in the near future, don’t get your hopes up. That’d sure be nice, but it’s looking like that isn’t going to be the case. Let’s continue to sit back and let the front office work its magic.
