The NBA offseason is a little slow at the moment, but a significant report has emerged regarding Utah Jazz shooting guard Donovan Mitchell that could heat things up really fast.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the New York Knicks have re-engaged in trade talks with the Jazz for Mitchell.
Talks had previously taken place between the two around mid-July, but they stalled out when the Knicks weren’t willing to meet the seemingly high demands that Utah had for the three-time All-Star.
Despite re-engaging in trade talks, Charania added that there is no trade that is imminent between the two and that it is a very real possibility that Mitchell could remain in Utah to start the 2022-23 NBA season.
Whether Mitchell is on the roster or not, the Jazz are looking towards the future rather than trying to win now, trading both Rudy Gobert and Royce O’Neale this offseason, both of whom were starters last season.
For Knicks fans, the idea of trading for Mitchell is an enticing one, as he is very clearly one of the best guards in all of basketball. That being said, he does have four years left on his contract where he will earn upwards of $130 million, and the Knicks would likely need to part with one of their up-and-coming players like R.J Barrett, as well as draft picks, in order to make that deal a reality.
Ultimately the Knicks will need to decide whether that is worth it for a player like Mitchell, who is obviously extremely talented, but may not be able to change the landscape of basketball in New York by himself.
