The Cleveland Cavaliers participated in one of the biggest trades of the offseason when they landed Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz.
The move of Mitchell was a blockbuster moment that NBA fans had been waiting for all summer.
But most of them expected Mitchell to not end up in Cleveland but rather New York City.
Mitchell was actually one of the millions who imagined he would suit up in a Knicks jersey when the new season began.
At his introductory press conference, Donovan Mitchell acknowledged that he hoped he was headed for the Knicks.
“Who doesn’t want to be home, next to their mom?”
The Cavs have three years to change his mind, @joevardon writes.https://t.co/roqjZzogIh pic.twitter.com/12DmVA6r55
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) September 15, 2022
Speaking at his introductory press conference for the Cavs, Mitchell opened up about the trade:
“Once Rudy (Gobert) got traded, I kind of saw the writing on the wall. I think we all did. I kind of had the feeling I was gonna get moved. Like I said, I thought it was New York.”
Mitchell, who is from the Empire State, continued: “Who doesn’t want to be home, next to their mom?”
The fact that everyone – including Mitchell – thought he was headed to the Knicks shows just how badly that team handled trade negotiations with the Jazz.
Dealing Away Donovan
Following the trade of Mitchell to Cleveland, Knicks insiders opened up about how tough any potential deal would have been.
Apparently, the Jazz were asking for too much from the Knicks, including multiple players and first-round picks.
In the end, it was just too much for the Knicks and the deal fell apart, giving Cleveland an opening to swoop in and steal Mitchell away.
It was a shock when Mitchell’s move to Ohio was announced and it hit New York fans in the heart.
They were getting very excited about the idea of Spida playing for them.
Now they have to get used to the idea of him once again playing against them.
NEXT: The Donovan Mitchell Era Begins In Cleveland