New York Knicks: 3 reasons a Donovan Mitchell trade hasn’t happened yet

Knicks: 3 reasons Mitchell trade hasn’t happened – Haggling over players

The New York Knicks aren’t going to give up RJ Barrett in a Donovan Mitchell trade, and it’s possible the Jazz don’t want him anyway. They want to tear it all down and reset, whereas Barrett is due for a contract extension. Utah wants to avoid a situation like the Oklahoma City Thunder with a single young star alienated in the midst of a rebuild, instead loading up on draft capital.

The question thus becomes which other players the Knicks are going to put into the deal. To match Mitchell’s salary, a deal executed this offseason likely has to include either Julius Randle or Evan Fournier. Neither contract looks great, and if the Knicks think the Jazz will reduce their asking price because Randle is in the deal they will have that corrected in a hurry, which likely means it is Fournier who ends up as the matching salary.

Finally, it’s the young players. Obi Toppin has shown real flashes but is stuck behind Randle, as both are true fours. Immanuel Quickley is too good to be a bench player but not good enough to start at point guard. Quentin Grimes absolutely balled out in Summer League. Miles McBride is really intriguing as a two-way guard. The Knicks are flush with young players; who do the Jazz want, and who are the Knicks willing to give up?

In the end, this trade truly feels like it will get done. The Jazz don’t have much urgency, however, and the Knicks aren’t feeling pressure to up their offer from outside sources. This negotiation could stretch out into training camp or beyond before it is finally resolved and Donovan Mitchell moves to the Big Apple.