Carmelo Anthony Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Potential Knicks Reunion
Jul 1, 2022
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 05: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on April 05, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The idea of free-agent forward Carmelo Anthony heading back to the New York Knicks isn't off the table, per SNY's Ian Begley:
"If Carmelo wanted to come back and have his final year in the NBA here [with the Knicks], that was on the table, and I haven't heard anything about it being off the table."
"My understanding, at least going back more than a year now was that the idea that if Carmelo, you know, wanted to come back and, especially like, wanted to have his final year in the NBA here, my understanding was that was on the table, and I haven't heard anything about it being off the table," Begley said.
Anthony played for the Knicks from 2011-17 and led the NBA with 28.7 points per game in 2012-13. New York went to the playoffs three straight years under Anthony's leadership, including a 54-win campaign in 2012-13 that ended with a second-round playoff appearance.
Anthony has played 19 NBA seasons. He's a 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA team honoree and a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary team. The former Syracuse star also has an NCAA championship and three Olympic gold medals with Team USA.
The 38-year-old still has game. He averaged 13.3 points on 44.1 percent shooting (37.5 percent from three) and 4.2 rebounds per game for the Los Angeles Lakers last year. Anthony played 69 games, starting three while averaging 26.0 minutes per outing.
He could certainly help the Knicks, who have already made some big moves this offseason. They've agreed to terms with Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson and Los Angeles Clippers center Isaiah Hartenstein and re-signed big man Mitchell Robinson.
New York is looking to improve upon a disappointing 37-45 season that saw the Knicks finish 11th in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks can stand to improve an offense that finished just 26th in points per game. Anthony could help that effort off the bench as New York tries to rebound.
Knicks Rumors: Isaiah Hartenstein Agrees to 2-Year, $16M Contract in NBA Free Agency
Jun 30, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 03: Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the LA Clippers reacts after making a shot during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on April 03, 2022 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The New York Knicks and free-agent center Isaiah Hartenstein have agreed to a fully guaranteed two-year, $16 million contract, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.
Hartenstein, 24, averaged 8.3 points on 62.6 percent shooting and 4.9 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game last year.
Hartenstein joins a Knicks team that could have a brand-new look at the center position this year. Backup big man Nerlens Noel has already been traded to the Detroit Pistons, and starter Mitchell Robinson has entered free agency.
The Knicks still have Jericho Sims on a two-way contract, but the team ultimately needed more depth at the position heading into free agency. They got it with Hartenstein, who sported an astounding 22.0 player efficiency rating in 2021-22, per Basketball-Reference.
Hartenstein also brings it on the defensive end. Per Basketball-Reference, his 106 defensive rating last season was tied for second on the Clips. His 3.1 defensive box plus/minus ranked first.
The Knicks are busy making moves this offseason. New York notably landed Jalen Brunson from the Dallas Mavericks on a four-year deal worth around $110 million, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.
They parted ways with Kemba Walker, Noel and Alec Burks to shed more salary, and now they've picked up Hartenstein, who should have a pivotal role in the rotation next year.
Jalen Brunson, Knicks Agree to 4-Year, $104M Contract After Mavericks Pursuit
Jun 30, 2022
DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 16: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the Utah Jazz in the fourth quarter of Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 16, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
The Dallas Mavericks now have a Jalen Brunson-sized hole in their backcourt after he made a commitment to the New York Knicks on a four-year, $104 million contract, his agents confirmed to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The 25-year-old wasn't the most decorated player to hit free agency this offseason, but he was one of the bigger wild cards.
Since the 2018 second-round pick was an unrestricted free agent, the Mavericks couldn't simply match an offer sheet he received. He's also a proven contributor who doesn't qualify as a top-tier star.
For teams in smaller markets looking to make a big splash, Brunson was a prime target to consider.
ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported in April that sources around the league thought the Villanova product could collect $20 million annually and that his value had gone as high as $25 million.
When it came to the Mavericks, Jalen's father, Rick, made it clear to MacMahon the young guard wasn't going to take anything less than his market rate.
"We've got to figure out if Dallas wants him. Not words," he said. "Ain't no discount. So don't put it on us. Don't tell me you love me. Show me."
Leaving the Mavericks also presented Brunson with the opportunity to occupy a role that was likely unattainable as long as he shared a bench with Luka Doncic.
According to Basketball Reference, the Slovenian had the eighth-highest usage rate (37.4 percent) for a single season in 2021-22. He also has the 10th (36.7 percent in 2019-20) and 17th-highest (36.0 percent in 2020-21) marks.
That the Mavs have such an offense based around Doncic can make it difficult for other guards to shine, and those players might ultimately prefer different surroundings in which they're more empowered.
Through his first three years, Brunson was used largely as a backup. In 2021-22, he proved himself as a starter, which couldn't have been timed much better ahead of his impending free agency.
He averaged 16.3 points, 4.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 79 appearances. He also shot 50.2 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from beyond the arc.
The 2022 playoffs were another great proving ground for the 6'1" playmaker. He averaged 27.8 points in Dallas' first-round win over the Utah Jazz. With Doncic out injured, his 41 points propelled the Mavs to a 110-104 Game 2 victory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg33LJFV0dE
Extrapolating what a player did in the playoffs beyond that can be dangerous when that player doesn't have an extended track record already. But Brunson was so good for Dallas in the postseason.
Jalen Brunson has 20+ points in 5 straight playoff games.
He has never had 20+ points in more than 2 straight games in his regular-season career. pic.twitter.com/mGSMWEYId6
It felt like a confirmation of sorts to cement how he had arrived as a valuable contributor on a franchise with lofty aspirations. Even assuming Brunson reverts back more to what he was during the 2021-22 regular season, he still showed he can do a bit of everything on the court.
His departure could be a big blow for the Mavs because there isn't a straightforward way of replacing him. Spencer Dinwiddie outperformed expectations after arriving from the Kristaps Porzingis trade, but the backcourt gets pretty thin after him and Doncic.
Given its salary-cap situation, Dallas can't turn around and sign a guard who's an upgrade over Brunson or at least at his level.
In time, this could work out for the Mavericks. Brunson could fall back to Earth in a big way and turn his contract into a bit of an albatross for New York. For now, this is a clear setback in the franchise's quest for a championship.
From the Knicks' perspective, the Kemba Walker experiment was a disaster as Walker didn't make it one full season before it became clear the team wanted to move on. Derrick Rose, meanwhile, was limited to 26 games because of injuries.
In order to avoid another losing season, New York absolutely had to upgrade at point guard, and the state of the market at the position made Brunson a top priority.
Knicks Rumors: Optimism RJ Barrett, NY Will Find 'Common Ground' on New Contract
Jun 30, 2022
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 27: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena on March 27, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Some within the New York Knicks "are optimistic that there will be common ground" regarding an extension for RJ Barrett, per SNY's Ian Begley.
Barrett is entering the final guaranteed year of his rookie deal and will earn $10.9 million in 2022-23. He and the Knicks can begin negotiating a new contract this summer.
In some cases, extending a player beyond his rookie deal can be relatively straightforward: Give him the max and move on. At the other extreme, a team can sour on a draft pick and be content to move on altogether.
Barrett is in the middle ground where he hasn't played his way into a max contract, but he has done enough to show why the Knicks should continue factoring him into their long-term plans. Through three seasons, he's averaging 17.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 41.8 percent overall and 35.7 percent from beyond the arc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfnZasJ2rsM
The Athletic's Fred Katz canvassed 16 NBA front-office officials who pegged Barrett's value between $15 million and $30 million annually.
"No one advocated for the Knicks to give him the max. Exactly half of the responses were a nice, clean four years, $100 million, making it by far the most common proposal from the polled executives," Katz wrote.
New York has a clear incentive to get something done now because allowing this to linger into next summer could have an adverse impact on Barrett's relationship with the team.
In theory, the Knicks could simply let the 22-year-old play out his rookie deal and go from there.
Barrett will be a restricted free agent in 2023 if he receives and turns down the $14.3 million qualifying offer. Should he and the team fail to strike a bargain, New York could let him test his market around the NBA and match whatever offer sheet he gets from another franchise.
The fraught dynamic between Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns illustrates the potential risk in that approach.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported last fall how Ayton and the Suns differed in their contract valuations. The 23-year-old center never seemed to forget about the perceived slight.
Now, somebody who appeared to be a foundational piece for Phoenix just one year ago could be out the door.
That would be the doomsday scenario for the Knicks, one that doesn't seem likely for now.
But that doesn't mean New York's front office should take negotiations with Barrett and his representatives lightly.
Jalen Brunson Rumors: Knicks, Mavericks, Heat to Meet with Guard in NBA Free Agency
Jun 29, 2022
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 26: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against the Golden State Warriors during Game 5 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals on March 26, 2022 at Chase Center in San Francisco, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Free-agent point guard Jalen Brunson is expected to land a massive contract this offseason, and he will reportedly meet with three teams when negotiations open Thursday evening.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday that Brunson will have discussions with the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Miami Heat on the first day of free agency.
Haynes noted that Brunson will host the meetings in New York. The Knicks have been widely regarded as the favorites to sign the 25-year-old. ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported Tuesday that New York was preparing to offer Brunson "a four-year deal in excess of $100 million." The Knicks have made multiple moves to clear cap space, and Brunson's father, Rick Brunson, was hired as an assistant coach on Tom Thibodeau's staff.
While it seems like signing with the Knicks is an inevitability for Brunson, it appears that he's interested in exploring the possibility of earning a sweeter deal. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that it was Brunson's camp that requested to meet with both Dallas and Miami.
The Mavericks are reportedly pessimistic at the chance of re-signing Brunson, but they have a certain advantage over his other suitors. Dallas can offer Brunson a maximum five-year, $125 million contract, but it's unlikely that the team wants to commit such a substantial chunk of salary to him. Haynes reported that the Mavs were hoping to come to an agreement on a five-year contract worth $106 million.
The Heat, who are considered a "dark-horse team," might have the longest odds of landing Brunson. Miami would likely need to complete a sign-and-trade for the rising point guard.
Report: Knicks to Offer Jalen Brunson 4-Year $110M Contract
Jun 29, 2022
DALLAS, TX - MAY 24: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles the ball during Game 4 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors on May 24, 2022 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
The New York Knicks appear to be going all-in for impending free agent Jalen Brunson.
The Knicks are expected to offer Brunson a four-year, $110 million deal when free agency opens Thursday in an attempt to pry him away from the Dallas Mavericks, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
The deal would pay Brunson $27.5 million annually. For comparison, Chris Paul is making $28.4 million per year with the Phoenix Suns and Kyle Lowry is making $28.3 million annually with the Miami Heat.
The most New York can offer Brunson is $131 million over four years, according to SNY's Ian Begley.
That said, it's unclear if the Mavericks would be willing to offer Brunson a similar deal. According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Dallas' price point to re-sign the 25-year-old is $22 million per year or $110 million total value.
The maximum amount the Mavericks can offer Brunson is $175.45 million over five years, according to Spotrac. It's hard to imagine the franchise offering him a deal worth $35.1 million annually when starting point guard Luka Doncic is estimated to make $36.6 million in 2022-23.
At one point, the Mavericks were confident in re-signing Brunson this summer, but it appears the franchise's thoughts might have changed.
The Athletic's Tim Cato reported earlier this week that the Mavericks have "anticipated" Brunson leaving for "weeks." NBA insider Marc Stein also reported that "there is a growing resignation in Dallas, sources say, that the Knicks are indeed Brunson's top choice and his inevitable destination."
The Knicks have positioned themselves well to make a run at Brunson this summer. By trading Kemba Walker, Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks to the Detroit Pistons, the franchise has cleared $30 million in cap space, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
New York cleared $19 million by trading Noel, Burks and cash to the Pistons on Tuesday. The Knicks traded Walker, who is expected to negotiate a buyout, to the Pistons last week, which cleared $9 million.
The Knicks have been considered a landing spot for Brunson since before his father joined Tom Thibodeau's coaching staff.
The franchise's interest comes as little surprise, as he had a breakout 2021-22 season, averaging 16.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 50.2 percent from the floor and 37.3 percent from deep in 79 regular-season games
In addition, he averaged 21.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 46.6 percent from the floor and 34.7 percent from deep in 18 playoff games.
If the Knicks fail to land Brunson this summer, it's unclear how the team plans to deal with its point guard problem.
Knicks Rumors: Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel Traded to Pistons to Clear Salary Cap Space
Jun 29, 2022
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 20: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been produced using a double exposure.) Alec Burks #18 of the New York Knicks looks to shoots a free throw during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 20, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
New York Knicks veterans Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks are on the move.
The two have been traded to the Detroit Pistons along with two future second-round picks and cash, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Knicks clear $19 million in cap space with the move and appear to be opening space to make a run at soon-to-be free agent guard Jalen Brunson, who last played for the Dallas Mavericks.
The move should come as no surprise after ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported on Jan. 27 that the Knicks were willing to trade some of their veteran players, such as Burks, Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier.
Walker was traded to the Pistons on draft night, but he is expected to negotiate a buyout, according to Wojnarowski.
Burks joined the Knicks ahead of the 2020-21 campaign on a one-year deal. The team then re-signed him to a three-year, $30 million contract ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.
The 30-year-old had a solid first season in New York, averaging 12.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 42.0 percent from the floor and 41.5 percent from deep. However, his shooting numbers took a dip during the 2021-22 campaign. He averaged 11.7 points on 39.1 shooting from the floor and 40.4 percent shooting from deep in 81 games.
Burks was in-and-out of the starting lineup last season, but he mainly played off the bench when the Knicks were fully healthy.
The Utah Jazz selected the Colorado product with the 12th overall pick in 2011. He spent seven-and-a-half seasons with the franchise, and he has bounced around the league since then.
Utah traded Burks to the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018-19 season, and the team then flipped him to the Sacramento Kings shortly after. Burks also spent time with two franchises during the 2019-20 season: the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers.
Adding Burks gives the Pistons even more depth entering the 2022-23 season.
Burks should serve as a backup to Cade Cunningham and joins a point guard group that also includes Cory Joseph and Killian Hayes.
As for Noel, he had spent the last two seasons in New York, mainly playing off the bench. During the 2021-22 season, he averaged 3.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks in 25 games while shooting 53.3 percent from the floor.
The Charlotte Hornets selected Noel with the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft. However, he never played a game for the franchise and made his debut during the 2014-15 season as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 28-year-old has also played for the Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder in his eight-year career. He has a $9.2 million cap hit for the 2022-23 season and has a club option for the 2023-24 campaign.
Noel, a center, will also play off the bench in Detroit, joining a group of big men that includes starter Isaiah Stewart, Kelly Olynyk and 2022 first-round pick Jalen Duren.
The Knicks still have a lot to figure out despite moving Burks and Noel to the Pistons. The team finished the 2021-22 season with a 37-45 record, 11th place in the Eastern Conference.
Deandre Ayton, Jalen Brunson’s Top Free-Agent Landing Spots After 2022 NBA Draft
Jun 24, 2022
DALLAS, TX - MAY 6: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket to score against Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game Three of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at American Airlines Center on May 6, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
With the conclusion of the NBA draft on Thursday, the offseason now turns to free agency and the start of the new league year on July 1.
And two of the most intriguing names to follow are Phoenix Suns center and restricted free agent Deandre Ayton and Dallas Mavericks point guard and unrestricted free agent Jalen Brunson.
For both players, the most logical team for each to sign with is their current one. The Suns are a true contender, and Ayton's rim-rolling skills and ability to defend on the perimeter fit well with the team's star duo of Chris Paul and Devin Booker.
And the Mavericks are a burgeoning power in the West, fresh off a berth in the Conference Finals. Brunson thrived in Jason Kidd's first year on the job, averaging career highs in points (16.3 PPG) and assists (4.8 APG), proving to be an excellent complement to superstar Luka Doncic.
But what if they don't return?
A whole slew of teams have been rumored to have interest in Ayton this summer, including the Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers.
If Ayton's main goals are to sign a max contract and have a bigger offensive role—two things the Suns may be unable to offer him or uninterested in offering him—the Pistons could sign him outright to a max deal after clearing cap space in the Jerami Grant trade. He would instantly be one of the centerpieces of the franchise alongside Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, and Detroit's future prospects would look very, very bright.
The downside for Ayton would be going from a title contender to a young team thick in the middle of a rebuild. And even if he's comfortable with that change, the Suns will have the option to simply match a max offer and retain Ayton.
So while the Pistons feel like the front-runner, it's hardly a foregone conclusion.
The Thunder probably fell out of the running after drafting Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren at No. 2 overall on Thursday.
The Raptors would be an interesting fit, though they have plenty of mouths to feed in Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes and OG Anunoby. Ditto for the Hawks, which already have Clint Capela anyway. There would probably be too much overlap between Ayton and Julius Randle in New York, making that a wonky fit, though that hasn't stopped the Knicks from making head-scratching moves in free agency in the past.
But the Hornets are an intriguing option. LaMelo Ball and Ayton would make for a thrilling pick-and-roll pair, while the Hornets have a young core that came close to the playoffs this year and play an exciting brand of basketball.
The issue for the Hornets will be trying to retain restricted free agent Miles Bridges while also finding a sign-and-trade with the Suns to land Ayton that Phoenix will agree to this summer. It's hard to imagine the Suns being too excited about getting Gordon Hayward back in such a deal, so Charlotte will have to get creative, but Ayton and the Hornets are a natural fit.
The Trail Blazers could also rebuild on the fly by adding Ayton to pair with Damian Lillard in the pick-and-roll, building a core around that pair, Grant and Anfernee Simons, though taking on Grant's salary likely has taken the Blazers out of contention.
Then there's Brunson, with consistent rumors that the Knicks covet him. It makes sense—the Knicks desperately need a true point guard, and he would be a huge upgrade in that regard. The 25-year-old wouldn't turn a New York roster devoid of a true superstar into a title contender, but he might help them return to the playoffs.
The Knicks also cleared Kemba Walker's expiring $9.2 million salary in a draft-night trade, adding even more cap space to their coffers. And they added a number of future conditional first-round picks, which could be ammunition if players like Kyrie Irving or Donovan Mitchell become available in trade talks (sign-and-trade talks in Irving's instance).
Brunson will likely have other suitors, but this feels like it will come down to the Mavericks or Knicks. Staying put in Dallas is his best option from a contending standpoint—at least for now, depending on what other moves the Knicks might be envisioning—but anything can happen come free agency.
Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert's Top Trade Landing Spots After 2022 NBA Draft
Jun 24, 2022
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Donovan Mitchell #45 talks to Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during the game against the New York Knicks on March 20, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The 2022 NBA draft is done, but the roster changes are just getting started this offseason.
Few teams could be in for a bigger overhaul than the Utah Jazz, which already lost head coach Quin Snyder after he stepped down earlier this month following eight seasons.
That left the future of star player Donovan Mitchell in question as well, considering ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the guard was "surprised and disappointed" about the departure of Snyder.
Wojnarowski also described Mitchell as "unsettled, unnerved and wondering what it means for the franchise's future."
Simply running things back with the core of Mitchell and Rudy Gobert probably wouldn't mean a championship in that future. After all, the Jazz did not advance past the second round of the playoffs despite making the postseason in each of Snyder's last six seasons. That includes a second-round loss in 2020-21 when they finished with the best record in the NBA at 52-20.
In addition to the clear ceiling in place, there have been multiple reports of tension between the two star players and no shortage of rumors about whether one or both will be traded.
Sean O'Connell of SiriusXM reported in May that Gobert reached a "him or me" point with Mitchell, while Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reported in June that Utah has "been one of the more active teams during early offseason trade conversations."
Fischer noted many of those discussions were about Gobert since "Utah has not entertained rival teams' overtures to steal away All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell."
The big man seems the more likely trade candidate than Mitchell, who is still just 25 years old and a franchise cornerstone under contract through 2024-25 with a player option for 2025-26. He has the offensive skill set to be a go-to option for years to come, while the defensive-minded Gobert is limited on that end of the floor and someone who is ideally surrounded by other elite talent.
That means teams with impressive offensive guards who need help on the defensive side should be seen as the most likely landing spots for Gobert.
Enter the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls.
Fischer mentioned both Eastern Conference squads as teams that were interested in the 29-year-old, and it's not difficult to see why. Chicago has a two-time All-Star big man in Nikola Vucevic it could include in the deal and would immediately bolster the interior defense.
If the Bulls do end up bringing back Zach LaVine, they will need a rim-protector like Gobert since DeMar DeRozan and LaVine are not exactly renowned for their shutdown defense on the wings.
Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso are better known for their defense, but they both dealt with health issues last season and may not be on the floor together as often given the importance of LaVine and DeRozan to the offensive attack.
Chicago also went perimeter with its only pick of Thursday's NBA draft when it selected Arizona's Dalen Terry at No. 18 overall.
Atlanta also has an All-Star on the perimeter who isn't an all-world defender in the shape of Trae Young.
While the 23-year-old can carry the team to victory on any given night with his outside shooting and overall offensive game, the Hawks would be much better with someone like Gobert to help cover for his defensive mistakes.
Like the Bulls, the Hawks didn't load up down low in Thursday's draft either and went with a wing in Duke's AJ Griffin (No. 16).
Atlanta and Chicago are also looking to take another step into the discussion of serious Eastern Conference contenders and could be in "buy" mode with the chance to land a three-time Defensive Player of the Year down low.
As for Mitchell, a pair of Eastern Conference teams also stand out as potential destinations even if the Jazz reportedly aren't interested in trading him.
It was clear throughout the Eastern Conference Finals that Jimmy Butler could use some offensive help if the Miami Heat are going to take the next step and win a championship.
Kyle Lowry is past his prime, and Mitchell would give the Heat a third All-Star-caliber player alongside Butler and Bam Adebayo in the Eastern Conference race.
Elsewhere, the New York Knicks are further from a championship than Miami but could use a star player in a major market desperate for a contender. They also landed multiple picks in draft-day trades that may be used in future moves.
New York has won one playoff series since the 1999-2000 season and took a step back in 2021-22 after reaching the postseason the prior campaign. Mitchell would give the team its best player since Carmelo Anthony and someone who could actually lead it deeper into the playoffs.
Trevor Keels Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Knicks Roster
Jun 24, 2022
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 02: Trevor Keels #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the second half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Joining the long list of Duke alums in the league, former Blue Devils point guard Trevor Keels was selected by the New York Knicks with the 42nd pick in the 2022 NBA draft on Thursday.
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report
Name: Trevor Keels
Position: SG/SF
Height: 6'3"
Pro Comparison: Luguentz Dort
Scouting Report: Keels' athletic and self-creation limitations are well documented, but he could check a valuable mix of boxes with 6'3", 224-pound size; pick-and-roll skills; shooting potential; and defensive tools and toughness.
The 18-year-old is a big-bodied combo guard who was a key part of Duke's run to the Final Four. He was the team's third-leading scorer with 11.5 points per game along with 3.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals.
Keels was a part of a vaunted freshman group for the Blue Devils that included No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero and fellow first-rounders Mark Williams, AJ Griffin and Wendell Moore Jr. He demonstrated the ability to make strong decisions as to when to take over games and when to defer to his star teammates.
New York is adding a strong rotational backcourt piece who can develop into a quality guard in the NBA.
