The New York Knicks have offered a significant package to acquire Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz.
The Knicks have been willing to send multiple players as well as assets to get the three-time all-star shooting guard, according to NBA insider Shams Charania.
Here’s what the Knicks have reportedly offered:
- Evan Fournier
- Obi Toppin
- Five first-round picks (two lottery protected)
However, that may not come enough, as the Jazz are looking for a “significant upgrade.”
Meanwhile, the New York Post recently reported that Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau prefers trading the 22-year-old shooting guard RJ Barrett in a package to acquire Mitchell.
Barrett, selected third overall in the 2019 NBA draft, has averaged 17.5 points per game, while making 41.8% of his field goals in three seasons with the Knicks.
The rumors of Mitchell come as the Jazz have been making rebuilding moves this offseason.
The team has traded center Rudy Gobert and small forward Royce O’Neal in deals that included acquiring multiple first-round draft picks.
The Knicks’ biggest move of the offseason was signing point guard Jalen Brunson to a four-year contract worth more than $100 million.
But the Knicks ideally would like to make another move to complete the offseason.
Michell in his latest season with the Jazz averaged 25.9 points per game, which ranked 9th in the NBA, with 5.3 assists per game.
Some on social media have argued that the Knicks are overpaying on the package that they have already offered.
However, ESPN analyst and Knicks superfan Stephen A Smith begs to differ.
“New York needs a star,” the sports commentator said on First Take.
“I’m not talking about a Patrick Ewing-caliber star that needs somebody to throw you the ball 15 feet from the basket for a turnaround jump shot.”
But he added that Mitchell is a guy that “I can give the ball to when it counts and say deliver for me.”
In 2017, the Knicks drafted Frank Ntilikina five spots ahead of Mitchell in the first round – and let’s just say it hasn’t quite worked out.
