Big Red Louie
Fansided

Three potential destinations for Donovan Mitchell

By Presley Meyer

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 16: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz calls a play as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers defends during the first half of a game at Staples Center on January 16, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 16: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz calls a play as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers defends during the first half of a game at Staples Center on January 16, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 10: Head coach Mike Miller of the New York Knicks and RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks look on against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 10: Head coach Mike Miller of the New York Knicks and RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks look on against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

New York

From the long shot to potentially the best fit, Mitchell would be a great option for the New York Knicks.

A native of the New York City area, Mitchell grew up with his father working for the Mets organization, and would likely be extremely interested in taking his talents to the Big Apple.

The Knicks Blog on SNY.tv speculated what it would take for the Knicks to end up with Mitchell as one of the faces of the franchise.

"SNY’s Ian Begley has noted that when Leon Rose took over shortly before the 2020 trade deadline, one goal was to have enough assets, post deadline, to make a push to trade for a star player who requests a trade. So if Mitchell fits that billing, what could a potential trade package look like? An opposing team executive tells Begley that any package that doesn’t involve Mitchell Robinson or RJ Barrett and two future first-round picks would probably be a non-starter for Utah. Robinson, meanwhile, wouldn’t be much of a fit for Utah with Gobert still in the mix, so the exec speculated that a package of Barrett and two unprotected firsts would get New York in the conversation for Mitchell. Utah would need to add roughly $2 million in salary to make the math work."

It would take a lot of working around but it feels like if Mitchell winds up elsewhere next season, New York is one of the most likely options.

A big market team desperate to make its first playoff push in years needs to add a go-to guard in crunch time. Mitchell would have options in blossoming stars like Julius Randle, Kevin Knox, and Elfrid Payton, and have the opportunity to be a local hero in a spot that is close to his family.

Obviously it’s not ideal to go to what has been a losing franchise over the last two decades, but if there’s a losing team to go to, perhaps it’s New York.

Home/Louisville Cardinals alumni