It has been long reported that the New York Knicks were the clear frontrunners to potentially acquire Utah Jazz star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell.
However, in typical Knicks fashion, the organization lost out on the chance to do that on Thursday as the Cleveland Cavaliers swooped in and traded for the three-time All-Star guard.
Cleveland will send three unprotected first round picks and two pick swaps as part of the deal to Utah for Mitchell, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/vfphmFMIAf
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 1, 2022
The Jazz got quite a haul in return, acquiring Lauri Markkanen, Colin Sexton, and Ochai Agbaji along with three unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps for Mitchell.
This type of haul is something that reportedly concerned the Knicks, which likely stopped any sort of trade talks from progressing beyond the early stages. Regardless, Knicks fans are understandably upset about missing out on Mitchell, as this likely seals their fate for another middle-of-the-road season next year.
Is there a team less relevant/more embarrassing relative to its market/fan base than the New York Knicks?
Narrator: https://t.co/836kzlqutd pic.twitter.com/554jIsbFFy— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) September 1, 2022
Umm @nyknicks, I think we need to talk.
(And no, it's not me. It's You.)
— Shaquille Brewster (@shaqbrewster) September 1, 2022
The eastern conference is loaded! And the @nyknicks blew it again. https://t.co/w6yHg9PLrm
— Carl Dukes (@putemupcdukes) September 1, 2022
The New York Knicks cease to amaze me
— Kenny Shane (@kennyshane) September 1, 2022
Fold the franchise Knicks. I’m gonna be sick. https://t.co/BK7YTmiyMc
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) September 1, 2022
In another typical Knicks move, they officially announced details of R.J. Barrett’s contract extension at the exact same time as the Mitchell trade went down, likely to try and deflect criticism away from the franchise, which did not work whatsoever.
READ THE ROOM
— Alex B. (@KnicksCentral) September 1, 2022
lmaoooooo impeccable timing guys
— J Mo (@Jmo_1020) September 1, 2022
— Dustin Brewer (@dstnbrwr) September 1, 2022
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers will have an extremely formidable backcourt of Mitchell along with budding star Darius Garland to go along with second-year big man Evan Mobley as they look to improve on their surprise playoff birth a year ago. Cleveland may have given up a bit more than they wanted to in order to get Mitchell, but they clearly feel that they can compete amongst the top teams in the Eastern Conference and went for it.
The Knicks, on the other hand, are okay with mediocrity and decided to stick with what they have, thinking that the signing of Jalen Brunson this offseason will significantly help them moving forward.
Knicks fans are yet again upset with their front office, and on paper, it certainly seems like they have every right to feel that way.
