Donovan Mitchell hasn’t asked the Jazz to trade him, but if he were to be dealt, he would prefer to end up with the Knicks, Nets, or Heat, sources tell Tony Jones of The Athletic.
The Knicks, of course, are viewed as Mitchell’s top suitor, and while Brooklyn and Miami have also been mentioned as possible landing spots, those teams aren’t as well positioned to swing a trade for the All-Star guard. The Nets can’t trade for Mitchell as long as Ben Simmons remains on the roster due to the designated rookie extension rule, while the Heat “simply don’t have the assets that the Jazz are looking for,” according to Jones.
The Jazz are said to be seeking a significant haul of first-round picks in any Mitchell deal, which is why the Knicks are viewed as a frontrunner. New York has acquired four protected first-rounders from other teams and also has all of its own picks available.
The Heat, on the other hand, don’t have any extra first-rounders and have traded their own 2025 pick to Oklahoma City. Given the restrictions imposed by the Stepien rule, Miami could only offer three first-round picks in a package for Mitchell, while New York could trade up to eight.
Although the Knicks have long been linked to Mitchell and have had ongoing trade discussions with the Jazz, the two teams aren’t close to a deal, says Jones.
Utah has also spoken to other suitors and has multiple offers on the table that the front office feels are worth exploring if talks with the Knicks don’t work out, sources tell The Athletic. The Hornets, Wizards, and Cavaliers are among the other teams that have been reported by multiple outlets as possible suitors for Mitchell.
If the Jazz don’t get an offer they like from the Knicks or one of those other potential trade partners, they’re comfortable entering the season with Mitchell on their roster. According to Jones, the club believes it’s in a good position to retool the roster around Mitchell and is more inclined to take that route than to accept “90 cents on the dollar” for the three-time All-Star.
ben simmons for mitchell? (if this isn’t possible don’t lecture me just throwing it out there)
Except Simmons isn’t part of a rebuild otherwise why move Mitchell. Jazz are looking for draft picks and not necessarily forced or have any demands in the table to move Mitchell.
Not sure why on earth the Jazz would do that.
Danny Ainge is going to drag this out until he gets what he wants…
The rumours about the Heat being a potential landing spot for KD and now Donovan are hilarous. They have almost zero assets, unless they are willing to include Bam wich i don’t think they are eager to trade.
Donovan Mitchell is only 25 years old and will turn 26 years old September 7th. He can stand a rebuild with the Utah Jazz.
Why is it so hilarious to believe that any superstar would want to live in Miami and play for one of the best run and one of the most respected organizations in basketball ?
Thank god, I wish Mitchell my absolute best with the rebuild in Utah.
Don’t look now…but the Jazz are still a very good basketball team as is.
Personally I’m a fan of the Jazz and have been for nearly 40 years. This team is mediocre at best at it sits. Mitchell is great but even with the Beverly trade they’re overloaded in the backcourt with Mitchell, Conley, Butler, Clarkson, Beasley and Alexander-Walker. Furthermore Udoka Azubike and Walker aren’t exactly exciting at Center for a team hoping to compete.
If the Nets got Mitchell that would be the Ultimate FU to the Knicks. and if the Nets win the championship and their parade would be in the canyon of heroes it would be a FU to Dolan #1973
Can’t take this seriously. Who’s taking Ben so the Nets get Spida? Also, the Rockets have all the Nets picks from the Harden mistake, so how are they going to satisfy Utah’s ask, or even remotely negotiate in good faith?
Nets got bigger issues than wondering if a NJ expansion team gets access to the canyon of heroes. Enough people wouldn’t even show up anyway. Maybe a parade down 4th ave or Fulton in BK is more their style
The Jazz are still a playoff team. The Pat bev trade can help them win right now and later. They can keep Donovan if they don’t get anything they like.
Not sure what’s better from the NYK’s standpoint, DM actually going to BKN, or the fact that BKN and MIA are being put out there as his other preferred destinations (as neither team currently has the trade assets to pursue him, and 3rd teams don’t come into deals to provide those kind of assets). All signs pointing to DM starting the season with UTH, which is all good for the NYK.
I doubt Marks will even bother discussing a DM trade, except nominally. I can’t imagine a worse player-team fit, at least as long as KD and KI are there? MIA could at least use DM effectively. I just don’t see it.
@DXC
As a Heat fan I don’t see how the deal can get done the Heat either. However, I have learned one thing. Never doubt Pat Riley to pull off a deal for a player…if he truly wants that player.
Riley seems like he has Jedi powers. He waves his hands over and over again as he tells other GMs, “You will accept this trade.” It eventually works if he wants the guy.
Riley has done a great job selling free agents on going to MIA. But this would be an arms length deal (not a S&T), such that he would have to convince another FO to deal a star player. Have there been any of those? I can’t think of any.