For much of this summer, following the trade of Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell was rumored to be on the trading block.
The team he was most linked to was the New York Knicks, and some even assumed it was almost an inevitability that he would be headed to the Big Apple by the start of training camp.
But in the end, Utah Jazz executive Danny Ainge decided to send Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a very solid but not overwhelming package.
Utah received Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji and three future first-round draft picks in return for the three-time All-Star.
Some felt the Knicks had a better offer, as they were willing to trade a similar package, but with RJ Barrett, whom many in New York believe is a bona fide future star.
In fact, according to Ric Bucher, the Jazz refused to take New York’s offer and instead traded Mitchell to Cleveland to get back at him for wanting to leave the team.
Why Donovan Mitchell wound up with the Cavs…(Learned yet another reason after recording the podcast: some Jazz officials were not happy that Mitchell wanted out and viewed sending him to CLE — rather than home to NY — as payback) https://t.co/2KhwmHzwt5 via @acast
— Ric Bucher (@RicBucher) September 4, 2022
The Knicks Failed Again At Landing A Big-Name Star
Ever since Patrick Ewing left the Knicks in 2000, they have, with one or two exceptions, been unsuccessful in acquiring bona fide stars.
They pulled off a trade for Carmelo Anthony during the 2010-11 season and signed Amar’e Stoudemire the previous summer, but other than that, it has struck out whenever a big-time player has been linked to them.
Mitchell was seen as their best chance to return to relevance, and it was for multiple reasons.
He is a legitimate scoring threat who has averaged 23.9 points per game in his five-year NBA career, as well as 26.1 points a contest the last two years.
The 26-year-old also has a history of going off for big games come playoff time, particularly during the 2020 playoffs, where, even though the Jazz blew a 3-1 series lead to the Denver Nuggets, he had three games with at least 44 points and two in which he went for 51 and 57 points.
But there was also some sentimental value in going after Mitchell, as he is a native of the New York City area, having grown up in suburban Westchester County.
In high school and college, he also played during the summers at famed Rucker Park in Harlem.
If Mitchell had become a Knick, he would’ve likely been adopted right away by their loyal and passionate fanbase across the Tri-State Area.
Fat Joe at Rucker Park talking about Donovan Mitchell:
“If only he could become a Knick. New York has answered. They want Donovan Mitchell to be a Knick. You see the people. They out here."
(Via @JenXperience)
pic.twitter.com/DyOKBxkPzt— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 19, 2022
But as it turned out, not getting him may have been a blessing in disguise, as the team would’ve had to give up a massive package for someone who isn’t considered a true superstar.
The Cavs Now Have A Young Juggernaut
With Mitchell, fellow All-Stars Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen and future star Evan Mobley, Cleveland has a team that most expect to contend for the NBA championship, if not this season, then soon.
There are questions defensively about a Garland-Mitchell starting backcourt, but head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has already made the Cavs into one of the league’s better defensive teams, and Mobley and Allen have given them tremendous rim protection.
They certainly have the type of young, potent core the Knicks and their fans badly wish they possessed.
It’s time for team president Leon Rose and general manager Scott Perry to go back to the drawing board and devise a plan to make the Knicks into title contenders themselves.
NEXT: NBA Analyst Isn't Convinced About The Knicks