Knicks In Driver’s Seat To Land Donovan Mitchell

The Knicks appear to be the favorites to land Donovan Mitchell in a trade with the Jazz, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN.

“I think ultimately [the Knicks] are going to wind up with Donovan Mitchell,” Bontemps said on Get Up.

Utah has been taking offers for Mitchell from several teams. Along with the Knicks, the list includes the Heat. The Nets also have been identified as a team with an interest, as we relayed here.

New York has already signed guard Jalen Brunson and are looking to pair him alongside Mitchell in the backcourt. It is believed guard/forward RJ Barrett would be included in a Mitchell deal.

Bontemps’ suggestion follows a report from The Athletic, which indicated the sides have already discussed the framework of a trade.

“The Knicks possess eight future first-round picks — four of their own and four acquired via trades from other teams — to use in a package. New York has also stockpiled young players, such as Quentin Grimes who is believed to be of interest to Utah,” Tony Jones and Shams Charania wrote.

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. Without question, the Jazz are sure to take plenty of calls and have lots of conversations during the NBA summer league in Las Vegas this week. 

“Change is inevitable in the NBA,” Jazz GM Justin Zanuck said at a press conference over the weekend. “I’m not trying to be cryptic or anything else, but Donovan is on our roster and he’s a very, very important part of what we’re trying to do.

“Things evolve in the NBA, so I couldn’t sit here and say anybody is [untouchable]. We’re trying to build a championship team, but there’s no intent [to trade Mitchell], at all.”

Hoops Wire will have more on this story as it develops, so keep it right here.