Donovan Mitchell Trade To New York Knicks Allegedly Near Completion

New York Knicks fans have been looking for a way to get themselves back on the map of NBA relevancy, and a blockbuster trade will surely do just that.

Rumors of the Knicks making a move for Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell have been circulating around the rumor mill since the offseason started, and it now seems that the Knicks are about to get their man.

Utah sports radio host Patrick Kinahan of Zone Sports Network recently revealed that he has been getting messages from around the league regarding the trade and how near it is to completion.

“I’ve been receiving texts as we speak that the Donovan Mitchell deal is done. It’s agreed upon. They’re working out some final details to have it be announced here shortly and ‘it’s a haul,’” Kinahan said.

“These are just texts. I haven’t confirmed them because I literally got them like right now… I don’t think it’s any big surprise because I think it’s going to get done. It’s only a matter of when, not if.”

The Jazz have already kickstarted their rebuild under the guidance of Danny Ainge as their CEO of basketball operations when he dealt three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves for veteran pieces and a boatload of picks.

What Kinahan says as a “haul” may be similar to the one that the Jazz received for Gobert–veteran players and picks.

Using ESPN’s Trade Machine, a trade for Mitchell could look something like this minus the draft picks:

New York Knicks receive:

• G Donovan Mitchell

Utah Jazz receive:

• G/F Evan Fournier
• SF Cam Reddish
• PF/C Obi Toppin

The players leaving New York can still be moved around since the Knicks have contracts that can be used to easily match Mitchell’s $30.3 million salary for the 2022-23 season.

According to Fanspo, the Knicks have four first-round picks in the 2023 draft (Washington Wizards’, Dallas Mavericks’, Detroit Pistons’ and their own) plus multiple second-rounders beyond 2023.

What remains to be seen now is how many picks will be included and which of them will be receiving protection as the Knicks hope to build a contender with a core of Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.