Utah Jazz 'Rushing' New York Knicks To Complete Donovan Mitchell Trade

The New York Knicks and Utah Jazz are deep in the trenches of getting a deal done for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, with the latter pushing for it to happen soon.

NBA insider Brian Windhorst was joined by fellow ESPN personalities Tim MacMahon and Tim Bontemps on the latest episode of his The Hoop Collective podcast, discussing the intricacies of the trade.

Windhorst noted that MacMahon said last week that the Jazz want to get things done before the start of the season, and the former believes that it could happen way earlier.

"It sounds to me in talking to people around the league that the Jazz want to try to go even sooner than that. They want to go before training camp ... It does sound as I talk to folks in the league that the Jazz are trying to apply the gas here. To try to juice the offer, especially juice the offer from the New York Knicks," Windhorst mentioned.

The Mitchell trade situation was recently thrust into the spotlight after the Kevin Durant saga ended in a whimper as he and the Brooklyn Nets front office came to terms, deciding to run things back.

It was reported last week that the Jazz are looking for an added incentive from the Knicks to send Mitchell their way–that being additional unprotected first-round picks and a talent-laden young player.

In response to this, the Knicks have softened up to the idea of including RJ Barrett in their current package of Evan Fournier, Obi Toppin plus salary-fillers alongside two unprotected first-rounders.

With Barrett on the table, both sides are getting close to a deal, but the main issue from the Knicks' side is the number of unprotected picks as the Jazz want an additional two first-rounders.

Ian Begley of SNY believes that the Mitchell trade is on the Knicks to lose after reporting that the Cleveland Cavaliers have dropped out of the race for the three-time All-Star.

The Knicks' continued pursuit of Mitchell is because of their belief in pairing him up with Jalen Brunson as a great backcourt duo could lead to more big-name free agents down the road.

If all goes according to plan, the Knicks are certainly going to be a team to watch this season and next summer.