For a long time, it looked like Donovan Mitchell was going to end up with the Knicks.
Instead, the three-time All-Star was traded to the Cavaliers in a stunning deal ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season.
A native of New York, it’s been reported that Mitchell would’ve “loved to have played in New York City” and under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. The Knicks even had the assets the Jazz “preferred” in a trade. However, the Knicks weren’t prepared to give up the slew of picks the Jazz were looking for and “balked” on including Quentin Grimes in a trade with RJ Barrett.
So what were the Knicks willing to offer the Jazz for Mitchell? Here’s what we know.
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What did the Knicks offer for Donovan Mitchell?
After it was reported that Mitchell was heading to the Cavaliers, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that the Knicks and Jazz discussed a deal in early July that would’ve included Barrett, Obi Toppin, Mitchell Robinson and three unprotected first-round picks.
The Jazz reportedly turned it down, leading to Robinson signing a four-year, $60 million extension with the Knicks.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania then reported that New York “put on the table” Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and two unprotected first-round picks in its final offer for Mitchell. Again, Utah wanted more — one more unprotected pick, multiple draft swaps and possibly another young player, per Charania.
“The Knicks had a window of time here to get a deal done,” said Charania. “They had every opportunity, every chance to try to put forth their offer and step up to the table to bring in Donovan Mitchell.”
That opened the door for the Cavaliers to swoop in and acquire Mitchell from the Jazz for Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, three unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2027, 2029) and two pick swaps (2026, 2028).
| Knicks’ first offer | Knicks’ final offer | Cavaliers trade |
| RJ Barrett | RJ Barrett | Collin Sexton |
| Obi Toppin | Immanuel Quickley | Lauri Markkanen |
| Mitchell Robinson | Two unprotected first-round pick | Ochai Agbaji |
| Three unprotected first-round picks | Three unprotected first-round picks | |
| Two pick swaps |
MORE: Did Cavaliers or Jazz win Donovan Mitchell trade?
According to Wojnarowski, the Jazz never called the Knicks back to give them a chance to top the Cavaliers’ offer.
Will the Knicks regret not going all-in on Mitchell? Time will tell.
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