We’re all expecting someone to break the news and detail the Donovan Mitchell Knicks trade package. Most reports and Knicks trade rumors state that they’re the team keen on acquiring his services and desperate enough to meet the Utah Jazz’s asking price.
Donovan Mitchell Knicks trade package: Best Mitchell deals
But one can only wonder how much it’ll take to land Mitchell after the massive return that Rudy Gobert fetched. Mitchell is younger and arguably a better player, meaning it’s only logical that whoever wants him will have to one-up the Gobert trade package.
Also, it’s not like the Knicks are the only team looking to trade for him. But, can any franchise make a better offer than whatever the Donovan Mitchell Knicks trade package consists of? If so, which team? Let’s take a look at all the options and break them down.
Knicks
Trade Offer: Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, three unprotected first-round picks, two pick-swaps via Dallas.
This might be the best of all Donovan Mitchell Knicks trade packages out there. Why? Well, for starters, it would allow the Knicks to hold on to RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson, while the Jazz would still get some valuable young players in Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley, and Obi Toppin.
The New York Knicks are desperate to get an All-Star to Madison Square Garden. Leon Rose was Mitchell’s agent, and he’s a New York native and diehard Mets fan, so it’s not like he wouldn’t welcome homecoming and spending his prime at Madison Square Garden.
The Jazz would have a plethora of draft assets and young players to kickstart the next stage of their history. It might take a while before they’re competitive again, but this is by far the most balanced and logical trade for all parties involved.
Cavaliers
Trade Offer: Collin Sexton (Sign-and-trade), Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro, three unprotected first-round picks, and a second-round pick.
The Cleveland Cavaliers don’t seem to be too high on Collin Sexton, otherwise, they would’ve signed him already. But, he’s still young enough to lead a rebuild in Utah, and there’s always the chance that Isaac Okoro turns out to be the dominant defender he was supposed to be.
The Jazz could look to flip Caris LeVert to a contender to add to their draft arsenal. The Cavs, on the other hand, would get an elite scorer next to Darius Garland. They made great strides last season and were the most surprising team in the league, so adding another 25+ points per game scorer could only make them better.
A core of Garland, Mitchell, and Evan Mobley would propel the Cavs into playoff contention for the next decade at least. So, don’t rule them out of any potential big move, as they own plenty of picks and know they’re on the verge of contention.
Heat
Trade Offer: Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Omer Yurtseven, Nikola Jovic, three first-round picks to Utah, an unprotected first-round pick, and two second-round picks to Oklahoma City.
You can never count Pat Riley out when a star becomes available. The Miami Heat have reportedly made Kevin Durant their priority, but they’ve always been tied to Mitchell, and Dwyane Wade‘s presence in Utah could give them a big edge in trade talks.
But the Heat can only trade a couple of first-round picks right now, which is why they’d need the Oklahoma City Thunder to come and rescue them to smoothen the deal. Why would they do that? Well, because Sam Presti would then get yet another unprotected first-rounder to add to his impressive collection. (Refer to our trading NBA draft picks explained article if this gets too confusing).
The Jazz would land two potential franchise cornerstones in Tyler Herro and Nikola Jovic, not to mention three future first-rounders.
The Heat would add someone to take pressure off Jimmy Butler‘s shoulders and a new Big 3 to try and win an NBA championship.
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