Jazz Exploring More Donovan Mitchell Trade Options Beyond Knicks

When it comes to Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz aren’t limiting themselves to a possible trade with the Knicks. Far from it, it seems.

Instead, they are seeking deals all over the league, extending their chances of moving Mitchell. It used to seem like they were only making him available. Now, the Jazz appear determined to move their star guard.

That said, they are in no rush, it appears.

“Utah and New York talked last week,” ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski said on Get Up, via RealGM. “I think the Jazz got a sense of what New York might be willing to do. It’s not just one particular deal. I think there’s options. It’s almost like a sliding scale that the more players you put in a deal, the less draft picks you want to give up. The more draft assets you put in a deal, you want to put less players in.”

The Knicks have already rebuffed the Jazz’s request of six first-round draft picks, as well as Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin, as relayed by Tony Jones of The Athletic.

So the Jazz have also at least talked to the Heat, and others. 

“If you’re the Jazz, ‘I want the players and I want the picks.’ That’s where it starts.” Wojnarowski said. 

“I think for the Jazz, they go out now around the league and see what else is out there for Donovan Mitchell. Get a sense of what the market is, what teams are willing to do.

“I think the Knicks and the Jazz will reengage here at some point. Maybe it’s this week. Maybe it’s next week. Maybe it’s in two or three weeks. The Jazz are not necessarily going to move quickly. The Rudy Gobert talks… that was over a period of time this summer and once Minnesota stepped up with the package they did, that was an easy deal for the Jazz to do.

“New York is motivated. They’re motivated to get Donovan Mitchell, but I think they’re also motivated to not just give up everything to get him. They’ve got four of their own unprotected first round picks. Now, people talk about seven or eight picks. I think a lot of those picks are conditional protected picks that are coming from places like Detroit and Washington. I don’t think the Jazz value those the way they do New York’s unprotected picks.”

Mitchell, 25, is 6-foot-1 and has spent his entire career with the Jazz. He averaged 25.9 points, 5.2 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 67 games last season. While the Jazz are open to keeping him, it is seeming less and less likely he will return to Utah.