With Kevin Durant and the Nets agreeing to “move forward” with their partnership, Ryan McDonald of The Deseret News wonders whether the news might have an impact on the trade market for Jazz star Donovan Mitchell.
As McDonald observes, while it’s possible that some potential Durant suitors might turn to Mitchell instead, based on Utah’s return for Rudy Gobert, the team seems focused on a package centered on draft picks. Thus, the Knicks remain the most logical trade partner for Mitchell due to their ability to offer several first-rounders for Mitchell, according to McDonald.
Here’s more from Utah:
- Along the same lines, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune explores which potential Durant suitors might pivot to Mitchell, and what those teams could potentially offer in deals for Utah’s three-time All-Star guard. According to Walden, even if teams like the Raptors, Celtics, Suns and Grizzlies aren’t all-in on Mitchell, perhaps they might give the Jazz more leverage in negotiations with the Knicks, which might help facilitate a trade sending Mitchell home to New York.
- The Miller family announced in a press release that it is selling a share of its minority stake in the Jazz. In a separate story for The Salt Lake Tribune, a source tells Walden that the move was tied to the recent news that Arctos Sports Partners is becoming a minority shareholder in the Jazz, with the intention of bringing a third professional franchise to Utah. The Millers owned the Jazz for 35 years, but sold the team to Ryan Smith in 2020 while retaining a 20% stake in the franchise. However, the initial deal stipulated that the Miller family would eventually sell all of its shares to Smith’s ownership group, and now a portion has been sold off to Arctos, with the Millers making a nice profit, Walden writes.
- In case you missed it, the Cavaliers have reportedly “touched base” with the Jazz about Mitchell in recent days. You can find more details right here.
Mitchell to the Hornets for Lamelo, PJ Washington and 2 first round picks.
Hornets lineup :
Rozier
Mitchell
Bridges
Mcdaniels
Harrell
Bridges career is over and Lamelo is more valuable than donovan in a trade
LaMelo is a better playmaker and possibly defender. But he’s not as good of a scorer. He’s wildly inconsistent shooting the ball. He’ll go 55% then the next game 16%. In other words, he has a lot more room to improve. Donovan is already at the refinement stage.
I thought LaMelo would make his teammates better than he did. He does some but he’s more like Westbrook in this regard rather than Stockton or Paul.
The only reason LaMelo might be more valuable is his age. Plus, he’s nowhere near his ceiling. Although, the scary thing is that Donovan can still get better and likely will.
Of course, I wouldn’t mind either one on my team. LaMelo just needs more weapons around him. Donovan is a one-man wrecking crew. We’ve seen it many times in the playoffs.
I just think he needed a better coach. Snyder wasn’t willing to adjust as much as I suspect current Coach Hardy will be.
Knicks Coach Tom seems like he’s more like Snyder in that he favors veterans, even if the younger player is better. Just ask Toppin.
Trading for Donovan would be impossible for Coach Tom to not play him over anyone else on that team.
That’s why it’s kinda pointless for the Knicks to hang onto young players and draft picks at this point.
If I were the Knicks, I’d widen the trade with the Jazz to include all their veterans and do a complete overhaul of their team. Coach Tom would be better suited for veterans anyway.
That sounds like the 28th best team in the NBA.
That sounds like 8th seed to me. Randell will be hogging the ball and ruin Knicks chances while Nets future is uncertain with Kyrie playing only 30 games while Simmons will be modeling on the sideline.
Bucks-Sixers-Celtics-Hawks-Heat-Cavs-Bulls-Hornets or Nets or Raptors will come out of the East.
You just named over 1/2 the conference. Yes, it’s a good chance one of those teams gets out of the conference…
You might want to Google Miles Bridges before penciling him in as a starter for a team he does not even play for.
Bruuuutal trade for cha
If a team has all their picks or a surplus, he is a Top-3 SG in the league. Now he gets the bulk of the shots, so you may see a dip in production depending on who lands him.
If Memphis was in on KD… why not DM? IF they think they can go small ball with Morant, Bane, and Mitchell and be effective.
The Knicks sign and undersized PG and now want to trade for another. I don’t see Mitchell getting them above the 7-8 seed. But hey the Knicks are not a very smart franchise. We shall see how it plays out. The wizards would be a better place for Mitchell. KP Mitchel and Beal would be a good fit. IMO