RJ Barrett‘s extension with the Knicks complicates a potential trade for Donovan Mitchell, but it doesn’t close the door entirely, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post.
Sources tell Berman that the Jazz are most interested in stockpiling unprotected first-round picks in return for Mitchell. Berman has reported that Utah wants four unprotected picks in the trade, while New York is only willing to part with two, along with three conditional selections.
A league source indicates that the market for Mitchell remains limited, telling Berman, “There’s no place for Donovan to go right now. The Knicks can still get him.”
Berman also hears that the Jazz would like to expand the trade to include the Lakers and hopefully pick up L.A.’s 2027 and 2029 first-rounders. Berman notes that the Lakers likely have interest in Cam Reddish, whom they pursued at the trade deadline and who saw limited playing time after coming to New York. Reddish is a client of Rich Paul at Klutch Sports, Berman points out, which means LeBron James and Anthony Davis would probably support bringing him to L.A.
There’s more on a potential Mitchell trade to New York:
- If Barrett’s new contract takes him out of the equation, Utah could become more focused on landing Quentin Grimes, Berman adds in the same piece. The 22-year-old shooting guard established himself as a fixture in coach Tom Thibodeau’s rotation last season, but Berman notes that there would be little chance for him to become a starter in New York with Mitchell and Jalen Brunson on hand.
- The Jazz were aware that the Knicks set a Monday night deadline for a Barrett extension, but they didn’t let it impact negotiations, according to Sarah Todd of The Deseret News. She has heard conflicting reports about whether Utah wants Barrett or would be content with a deal that doesn’t include him. Sources tell Todd that both teams are playing hardball right now in trade talks, but there’s still a chance to complete a deal before training camp.
- The “poison pill provision” means a third team would have to be included to get Barrett to Utah, ESPN’s Bobby Marks says in a video breakdown of Barrett’s extension. He says a team with cap room, such as the Pacers or Spurs, would have to be willing to take Evan Fournier‘s contract, which is worth nearly $56MM over the next three years.
*yawns*
He has not put pen to paper yet
I would LOVE to see Cam go to LAL. He’s as close to Michael Cooper as they’ve had since Eddie Jones
I still reluctantly like Cams attributes, he has the same body style, handling and frame as those guys but he has a lawn mower engine under the hood compared to those guys hemi’s.
While Eddie Jones was playing he was often criticized the same way you just did Cam. Tracy McGrady, Paul George & many other similar guys are perceived as having low energy when in fact that they’re just extremely graceful athletes who’re making this stuff look way easier than it is. Cam has had unfortunate injuries at times & has definitely suffered thru some less than ideal decision making on the court but his talent is large & playing with a guy like Bron is sorta the perfect situation for him to shine. Tbh he’d be really nice in NYK or anywhere if he avoids nagging injuries & is given proper pt
Cam makes things look easy, I saw the same potential PG13 you did in a young Cam. He would be great in the He Got Game remake. He’s a great actor. I remember finding out Wesley Snipes can’t hoop for shit but he’s just a good athlete and good actor and he sold me as a decent street hooper in White Man Can’t Jump.
Not sure what similarities Jones and Cooper have with Cam. Last year was the first year Cam had even a decent 3 point shot, and even with that, his overall shooting numbers were still not great. Jones and Cooper were high-end shooters for their time.
On top of that, Reddish doesn’t create opportunities or pass to anyone. Jones and Cooper would. Check their assist numbers.
And Jones and Cooper played elite defense. Does Cam?
All 3 guys were similar size, similar body type, played the same position. All 3 had similar type of game, smooth offensively, easy athleticism & menacing on ball defense highlighted by extremely long wingspan, active/aggressive hands & high defensive bball iq. It’s extremely obv that you are basing all of your thoughts on this subject off of stats alone. It would help if you watched these guys play. If you have to ask if Cam is an elite defender you clearly haven’t seen him play much. Also remember that tho Cam has played 3yrs in the league he’s still younger than Coop or EJones was when they 1st started playing in the league. Both those guys woulda had growing pains if they were starting in the NBA at age 20,21 as well. But overall even a cursory viewing of the floor games of those 3 guys presents immediate & obvious similarities to anyone with any type of basketball iq but u gotta actually watch em with open eyes & obv that’s asking alot of u guys
I’ve seen Cam play a lot (Knicks fan) and I’ve never thought he played elite defense. The numbers bear it out.
He’s also not a passing playmaker and doesn’t improve his teammates, like Jones and Cooper did. And, while his shot improved last year, he’s still had brutal overall shooting numbers, contrary to Jones and Cooper, who were great. I don’t see the comparison (even in body; Cooper was a beanpole whose listed weight is 50 pounds lighter than Cam’s despite an inch of height difference).
smh
“smh you’re right I can’t counter any of those points”
He’s no elite defender. He might be close to elite for a 22 year old because 22 year old are normally terrible on defense. He’s decent for a NBA player in general maybe close to elite for a 22 year old NBA player in particular and has good attributes. That’s about it.
1st games back from an injury that cost him majority of his 2nd season. In the ECF vs the eventual nba champs. Clamping some of ur favs… link to m.youtube.com
@Sankara- I like Cam a lot, and a nice comparison with Michael Cooper. The Lakers would be perfect for Mr. Reddish, since he wouldn’t be getting any minutes with NY. I really don’t like Danny Ainge though. Congratulations you totally fleeced the T-Wolves, and now they won’t win anything, but you won’t be doing that to the Knicks. Nice try, “Trader Danny!”
The T-Wolves will a lot more games with Gobert than the Knicks would without Mitchell.
Mitchell would do next to nothing for the Knicks.
You’re absolutely right. It’s not like Evan Fornier hasn’t also been the centerpiece of one of the top rated offenses in the NBA over the last few seasons.
Agreed.
25 year olds who avg 25.9/4.2/5.3 on .448/.355/.853 with advanced stats of 21.3 PER +4.3 BPM are basically role players these days.
@Taco1331- of course they will. When have my Knicks become relevant? Let’s keep in mine if the Knicks acquire Mitchell he’s still a one dimensional player. I say don’t even bother with Donovan. Stand pat.
I love how angry Connelly has made opposing fans with that trade. If that’s really what is going on in the league, might of been a smart move – you’re the only team who really adds a star as most teams reset going into next season.
Yawns
Biggest non-story since the last non-story.
The Lakers swapping Russ + 2 picks for some combination of Bogdanovic, Conley, Beasley, Clarkson seems like a no brained for both sides.
Not sure how NY fits into the equation, as it seems like the two sides could get that done without any help from Rose
I think the Lakers would like to keep the 24 cap open so thats where Rose would help fit the salary (theoretically) Beasley Bogs complete and are expiring as well …Obv RW needs to land in Utah here, as he should, so that’s how these 3 teamers are getting generated Imo …Think they have some bones too, more than the avg rumor that floats around
My main gripe with the Indy trade is Heild taking up 20 of the 33 mill avail next year in open cap
If they gonna swing 2 unprotecteds (which Im Ok with) its gotta be a multi year plan rather than just a 2023 plan …if that makes sense……at least to me; no clue Jeanie’s thoughts but I hope they are thinking down the road at least a little bit. Open cap can go pretty far for LAL next year if they let it
Yeah I agree that the Utah spare wings are, to me at least, way more appealing for a Lebron-AD roster than Hield/Turner.
For one, I’m just not really high on Myles in general – I think his “stretch 5” rep is a little overstated (33% career 3PT shooter), so I’m not sold that, when it counts, you can close games w/ him and AD together.
And Hield is 3 seasons removed from his 42%+ 3PT days. IMO, his defense is bad enough that he really needs to be THAT good from 3. He hasn’t been a net + on BPM since 2019-20
So getting a couple two-way wings from Utah just seems to make more sense, even if they don’t have quite the name recognition of the Indy 2.
LAL give up 2 firsts, without Westbrook’s luggage being loaded on same plane? Nope.
Interesting that the Jazz want the Lakers involved.
So what
Knicks: Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gay
Jazz: Russ, Toppin, Grimes, Christie and 4 firsts
(2 Knicks, 2 lakers)
Lakers: Evan Fouriner, Bojan Bogdanovic, Cam Reddish and a first (from the Knicks)
Jazz get an the big expiring Russ deal instead of Fouriners money. They get Toppin, Grimes and Christie to start the rebuild with and 4 firsts, 3 unprotected.
Lakers get rid of Russ, they get back Fouriner who I think is a great fit and Bojan who is great for depth. They get their guy in Cam Reddish and get back a first.
Jazz give up Fouriner, Reddish, Toppin, Grimes and 3 firsts for Mitchell and Gay. Fouriner they have to for salary matching, Reddish Thibs didn’t want to begin with, Toppin hasn’t really worked out behind Randle and Grimes is just a back up SG. They also save themselves a couple firsts from their original offer.
Jazz likely buy out Russ, Knicks might then make another trade to even out the roster abit amd Lakers I think should sign Schroder and Tristan Thompson.
Beverly Fouriner Bron AD Bryant
Schroder Walker Reddish Bojan Thompson
Nunn Reaves JTA Jones
Great looking team for the Lakers.
Bron and AD lead obviously, Beverly gives you tough perimeter defence and some secondary playmaking. Fouriner is a high IQ third scoring option, often makes the right plays and hits important shots then Bryant at the centre spots spaces the floor.
Really good looking bench for a change, Schroder is a very good sixth man can score, create, defend. Walker gives them some legs and athleticism, Reddish a working progress 3 and D wing, Bojan can play either forward spot, another really good scoring option who is super efficient, then lastly Tristan Thompson for some defence down low and is familiar with Bron.
Can play small with AD at the 5 with Bojan another scoring forward. If you want better defence then Schroder and Thompson in for Fouriner and Bryant. Beverly and Schroder would be solid on the perimeter.
Would line up really well with most teams for the playoffs.
I’m not 100% sure what Utah’s cap sheet looks like but I’m not sure they can take back Russ + the other contracts while only sending out Bojan and Gay
That aside my only edits would be: slide the first from LA to Utah and probably add IQ to the pile of Utah assets.
Gotta make Ainge feel like he’s winning the trade. Getting 3 playable (hypothetically) two way wings for the 2 firsts for LA is probably enough to get Pelinka to pull the trigger and end the Russ saga
Don’t forget Donovan aswell.
Donovan Bojan and Gay all leaving while reviving Russ Toppin Grimes and Christie.
Ah that’s right — how could I forget the headliner lol