After a weeks-long stalemate between the Utah Jazz and New York Knicks, the Cleveland Cavaliers cameoff the top ropeto claim Donovan Mitchell in a blockbuster...
Cavaliers' Updated Roster, Starting Lineup, Salary Cap After Donovan Mitchell Trade
Sep 1, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 28: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz talks to the media after Round 1 Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks on April 28, 2022 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers are suddenly contenders in the Eastern Conference after reportedly acquiring three-time All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell in a trade with the Utah Jazz.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Cavs sent point guard Collin Sexton, forward Lauri Markkanen, 2022 No. 14 overall pick Ochai Agbaji, three first-round picks and two pick swaps to Utah to land the 25-year-old.
Cavaliers' Updated Roster
PG: Darius Garland, Ricky Rubio, Raul Neto, RJ Nembhard Jr.
SG: Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, Dylan Windler
SF: Cedi Osman, Isaac Okoro, Lamar Stevens
PF: Evan Mobley, Kevin Love, Dean Wade
C: Jarrett Allen, Robin Lopez, Isaiah Mobley
Per Spotrac, the Cavs' payroll now sits at $171.76 million for the 2022-23 season after the addition of Mitchell. The team is well over the max cap of $123.66 million.
The addition of Mitchell creates big expectations for Cleveland, as he's joining a talented roster that includes 2022 All-Stars Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen. Second-year forward Evan Mobley finished as the runner-up in Rookie of the Year voting last season after establishing himself as one of the best young defensive big men in the NBA.
Mitchell was selected to his third consecutive All-Star Game last year and averaged 25.9 points, 5.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game. While he was efficient with a 44.8 field-goal percentage, he struggled from the outside and shot 35.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Pairing Mitchell with Garland creates one of the most dangerous backcourt duos in the league. Garland ranked sixth in the NBA with 8.6 assists per game to go with a career-best average of 21.7 points. He took over as Cleveland's No. 1 option on offense after Sexton was lost for the season because of a knee injury.
Now, Garland will have another star by his side as the Cavs continue their rise back to prominence.
Cleveland finished eighth in the East last year with a 44-38 record, a 22-win turnaround from the previous season. The Cavs' promising campaign ended with back-to-back losses in the play-in tournament, but it's clear that better days are ahead for the franchise.
Knicks Fans Heartbroken After Donovan Mitchell Gets Traded from Jazz to Cavaliers
Sep 1, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 28: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action during the second half of Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 28, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz shooting guard Donovan Mitchell has been connected in trade rumors to the New York Knicks for months, but he'll be a Cleveland Cavalier instead after the Cavs pulled off a stunning move to land the three-time All-Star on Thursday.
Full trade: Utah is trading Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland for Lauri Markkanen, Ochair Agbaji, Collin Sexton, three unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps, sources tell ESPN.
Ultimately, the Knicks and Jazz simply weren't able to see eye to eye on the draft capital requests.
Word was New York's final, best offer for Donovan Mitchell included two unprotected first-round picks. Cleveland's ultimate package features three, plus two pick swaps that are also unprotected, sources said. Utah always made it clear they were hunting for future draft capital.
Some Knicks fans on Twitter were clearly upset that their team didn't land Mitchell, who very well could help turn the Cleveland Cavaliers into an Eastern Conference powerhouse (Warning: strong language used):
Donovan mitchell goes to cavs Not surprised..the knicks most clueless org in sports! Period! And you cant argue with that its a fact im disgusted with franchise.we signed rj grt we didnt improve at all..real knick fans will agree not clueless youngins #knicks
Iām so proud of Leon, man. He did a great job. We keep all the young guns, and have a great direction moving forward. Giving up all that for Donovan Mitchell is just a classic Knicks move that wouldnāt end well. Now time to move Randle.
Ultimately, the Knicks held on to their picks and young players, including RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley.
They may not have made the Mitchell move, and making the playoffs will be a fight in a tough, deep Eastern Conference, but the future has not been mortgaged as the Knicks give themselves more options to improve in upcoming years.
Donovan Mitchell Trade Rumors: Knicks' Quentin Grimes Could be Coveted in Talks
Sep 1, 2022
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 2: Quentin Grimes of New York Knicks warms up before the NBA match between Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks at the Madison Square Garden in New York City, United States on April 2, 2022. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
If the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz are going to remain engaged in trade talks revolving around star guard Donovan Mitchell, it seems unlikely that RJ Barrett will be in them after he signed a four-year extension with the Knicks worth up to $120 million.
That deal came with a poison pill provision that would seriously complicate the salary matching needed for a Mitchell trade. But the Knicks aren't devoid of other trade chips, and young wing Quentin Grimes could be the key to still getting a deal done, per Ian Begley of SNY:
Based on what I'd heard from people briefed on the talks, I'd expect Utah to covet Grimes in any current/future talks. Utah had sought one of Grimes, Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley in packages that included Barrett. So I'd assume that the Jazz would want at least two of those players in any deal moving forward. The sticking point will probably be Grimes and the value of the first-round picks New York is willing to include. In prior talks, the Jazz wanted New York to increase its offer of two unprotected picks in various packages discussed.
Grimes, 22, appeared in 46 games for the Knicks last season after being the No. 25 overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2021 NBA draftāhe was traded to New York in a draft-night swapāaveraging six points, two rebounds and an assist in 17.1 minutes per game.
Injuries and a bout with COVID-19 limited his overall game time, however.
But Grimes impressed during this offseason's summer league, averaging 22.6 points per game, and marked himself as a key part of New York's future. Or, potentially, Utah's future if he's one of the headliners in a Mitchell deal.
Whether Utah and New York can find a middle ground in negotiations remains to be seen. Per Begley: "The Knicks had been unwilling to meet Utahās high asking price (picks and players) in any packages that didn't include Barrett. Will that change now that Barrett is off the table? It's more likely that the Knicks engage a third team that can send draft compensation to Utah."
The Jazz aren't being forced to trade Mitchell, of course, but after dealing away Rudy Gobert and Patrick Beverley, they appear to be in a full rebuilding mode. That would make moving on from Mitchell a logical next step. Stars in their prime generally avoid being around for the rebuild.
The Knicks, meanwhile, could trot out a starting five of Jalen Brunson, Mitchell, Barrett, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson if they swung a deal with Utah. That lineup wouldn't be perfectāthere would be some questions about how the team's perimeter defense would hold up, and floor spacing might be an issueābut the talent would be indisputable.
Landing the sort of star player the Knicks have lacked since the Carmelo Anthony days, however, may require a major haul of draft picks. While players like Grimes, Toppin and Quickley offer potential, the Jazz will likely want the future flexibility and pulls of the draft lottery slot machine that future picks provide.
For Grimes, a move to Utah would likely offer more playing time on a young, rebuilding team than he would get in a reserve role for the Knicks. But it's a moot point if the two sides can't come to terms on the draft compensation being exchanged.
Donovan Mitchell Rumors: 'Jazz Aren't Seriously Engaged' in Trade Talks After Knicks
Aug 30, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dunks during the second half of Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 21, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Donovan Mitchell could remain with the Utah Jazz after the team paused its trade talks with the New York Knicks.
"The Jazz aren't seriously engaged elsewhere on a Mitchell deal now," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported.
The Jazz and Knicks were reportedly involved in several weeks' worth of negotiations, but the potential deal stalled after passing Monday's deadline set by New York president of basketball operations Leon Rose. The Knicks instead signed RJ Barrett to a four-year extension, effectively removing the guard from any trade package.
Neither team is ruling out restarting trade talks, per Wojnarowski, but the Jazz clearly aren't close on any other deals at the moment.
The Jazz are seemingly in rebuilding mode after trading away Rudy Gobert, as well as veterans Patrick Beverley and Royce O'Neale. After six straight trips to the playoffs, the squad could have an uphill battle to reach the postseason in 2022-23.
It doesn't mean the team feels any pressure to deal away Mitchell, who is still just 25 years old and remains under contract for at least three more seasons.
The three-time All-Star ranked ninth in the league with 25.9 points per game last season, adding 5.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. He has also proved the ability to take over in the postseason with a 28.3 career scoring average in 39 playoff appearances.
Tony Jones of The Athletic reported the Jazz are "comfortable with going into the season with Mitchell on the roster" and will only trade him if another team reaches the asking price. Mitchell also hasn't asked for a trade, per Jones.
It could allow the two sides to move forward together despite an offseason's worth of trade talk and other speculation.
Donovan Mitchell Trade Rumors: Jazz Aiming for Deal by Training Camp amid Knicks Buzz
Aug 26, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 28: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action during the second half of Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 28, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz are reportedly looking to accelerate the timeline for a potential Donovan Mitchell trade.
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, they would prefer to complete a trade before training camp.
"It does sound, as I talk to folks in the league, like the Jazz are trying to apply the gas here, trying to juice the offers, especially juice the offer from the New York Knicks," he said.
New York may have less competition to drive up the price, though, as Ian Begley of SNY reported the Cleveland Cavaliers "removed themselves" from discussions surrounding Mitchell. Begley called it the Knicks' trade "to lose" with the ability to make the best offer even if they don't include RJ Barrett in the deal.
Tony Jones of The Athletic reported the Jazz still have "multiple offers on the table" for Mitchell, who would prefer the Knicks, Brooklyn Nets or Miami Heat if he was moved.
Yet Jones also noted he has not asked Utah for a trade, meaning it may not be inevitable. If the team doesn't have any favorable offers, it could choose to keep the 25-year-old until at least the trade deadline and reassess its different options.
Still, this appears to be a franchise on its way toward a rebuild after trading Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves this offseason. Moving Mitchell would be the best way to land a number of draft picks with an eye on the future ahead of a season where it isn't a realistic championship contender.
From the Knicks' perspective, they have won a single playoff series since the 1999-2000 season.
Mitchell may not be enough to bring a championship to New York, but the combination of the three-time All-Star, Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and Barrettāif he is not included in the dealācould propel them to the top half of the Eastern Conference standings.
That would be a welcome change for a major-market team that has failed to live up to expectations for more than two decades.
Cavaliers Rumors: Donovan Mitchell Trade Talks End with Jazz amid Knicks Buzz
Aug 26, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 28: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on during Round 1 Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks on April 28, 2022 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
Donovan Mitchell will not be a Cleveland Cavalier.
Ian Begley of SNY.tv reported the Cavaliers removed themselves from trade talks for the All-Star guard, leaving the deal as "the [New York Knicks'] to lose."
The Knicks have been engaged in trade talks with the Utah Jazz for several weeks, but it does not appear a deal is close at this time.
Utah has been seeking a combination of several future first-round picks and young talent for Mitchell, a New York native who would instantly be the Knicks' best player since Carmelo Anthony.
The Knicks can trade up to eight future first-round picks but appear hesitant to throw all their chips to the center of the table for Mitchell. Shams Charania and Tony Jones of The Athletic reported the Knicks offered five first-round picks (two unprotected), guard Evan Fournier and forward Obi Toppin.
Utah is reportedly seeking a "significant" upgrade from that offer.
The Cavaliers can't match the type of future picks already offered by the Knicks and are unlikely to make budding young stars Darius Garland or Evan Mobley available for trade. That alone was likely enough to take Cleveland out of the running.
The Knicks' combination of trade assets and their desire to land a franchise star make them an overwhelming favorite to eventually land Mitchell. That said, the hesitance of Leon Rose to throw the full boat at Utah is valid.
Mitchell turns 26 in September and has never made an All-NBA team or gotten past the second round of the playoffs. While he's four years older, the Jazz traded the far more decorated Rudy Gobert earlier this offseason for four future first-round picks (and 2022 first-round pick Walker Kessler).
Gobert is the best defensive center of his generation and has three All-NBA selections on his resume. It's fair to wonder why it's a given that Mitchell would command more in a trade than his former teammate.
The Knicks would not have anything close to resembling a championship roster even with Mitchell in the fold. A core of Mitchell, Julius Randle, RJ Barrett and Jalen Brunson may be enough to be a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference, but they'd likely be in the bottom portion of that picture.
Heat's Top Trade, Free-Agent Targets After Kevin Durant Agrees to Remain with Nets
Aug 23, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 28: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on during Round 1 Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks on April 28, 2022 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat must look in a new direction after Kevin Durant agreed to "move forward" with the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.
Miami had been one of the "most serious threats" to land Durant along with the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics following the superstar's trade request in June, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Heat had been unwilling to meet the Nets' asking price, however, and the window to acquire the four-time scoring champion has apparently closed.
No other available players can make the same type of impact as Durant, but there are still ways for Miami to upgrade the roster with these targets.
Donovan Mitchell, SG
If the Heat still want to add a star, Donovan Mitchell is the next best option after Durant.
The New York Knicks have consistently been linked with the Utah Jazz guard, while Charania named the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards as interested teams, but none have been able to match Utah's asking price.
Miami could beat the other packages by offering Tyler Herro, who won the league's Sixth Man of the Year award last season.
Zach Lowe of ESPN reported the Heat were "still trying and can never be counted out" regarding deals for either Durant and Mitchell. With only one of those still available, the team could become even more aggressive on the trade market.
Losing Herro could hurt, but Mitchell is an even better offensive weapon who averaged 25.9 points per game last year, his fifth straight season with at least 20 ppg. His all-around play helped him set a career high with 7.2 win shares in 2021-22, 34th in the NBA, per Basketball Reference. Herro's 3.8 win shares was also a personal best, yet ranked just 123rd in the league.
Adding the three-time All-Star could be enough to get Miami over the top toward a championship after losing in the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
John Collins, PF
Even if the Heat aren't able to land a star, they can still add a difference-maker to the rotation.
Lowe reported (h/t RealGM) that Miami showed interest in John Collins and might "revisit" those talks.
The Atlanta Hawks haven't been shy about putting Collins on the trade block, including him in an offer for Durant. They were also "engaged" with several teams about a trade in June, per Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, which indicates it might not take much to pry him away.
Collins' scoring has declined in each of the past two years, but he averaged 16.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in 2021-22 and is still just 24 years old. The 6'9" forward has made 37.6 percent of three-pointers in his career and would fit perfectly with the Heat's efficient outside shooting.
Though he's not the defender that P.J. Tucker was, he would provide a bigger offensive impact next to Bam Adebayo.
Myles Turner, C
Another player who has been constantly included trade rumors, Myles Turner likely won't want to stay with the Indiana Pacers during their rebuild.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported in July there was a "good chance he's not going to be a Pacer next year."
With the Heat, Turner could play for a contender and form an intriguing complement in the frontcourt with Adebayo.
Turner is more of a rim-protector, twice leading the NBA in blocks per game while finishing last season with 2.8 per game. He is also a quality outside shooter, averaging 1.5 made threes per game in 2021-22.
Adebayo and Turner might both be called a "center," but their roles wouldn't overlap on either end of the court, and a trade could certainly strengthen the team ahead of 2022-23.
LaMarcus Aldridge, C
Any trade would force the Heat to give up something, which might not be a smart plan for a team that is already a top contender to win a title. They finished first in the Eastern Conference during the regular season last year and only lost in Game 7 of the conference finals after an injury-riddled playoff run.
The team could instead look for incremental changes from the remaining free-agent pool to help get over the top.
LaMarcus Aldridge could be the best option available, even at 37 years old entering his 17th NBA season.
The veteran averaged 12.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game with the Nets last season, mostly coming off the bench. He remains a solid defender who can provide a boost offensively with the second unit.
Miami already has plenty of veteran leadership from Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry and even Udonis Haslem, but adding one more proven player in the locker room can't hurt.
NBA Rumors: Knicks Feel Donovan Mitchell Trade Only Gives Them 10 More Wins
Aug 21, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 28: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz warms up before Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 28, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
The New York Knicks are reportedly concerned adding Donovan Mitchell wouldn't bring them quite the level of long-term improvement they are looking for as they attempt to build a contender.
Marc Berman of the New York Post reported some with the team believe trading for Mitchell would lead to a 10-win improvement after going 37-45 last season. While that would be quite an uptick for the Knicks, they are reportedly concerned giving up too many assets would prevent them from making another necessary move for New York to become a true title contender.
"Getting from 47 wins to 57 winsāthatās harder than 37 to 47," a coaching source told Berman.
While Berman also reported "the Knicks were turned off by Utah team president Danny Ainge's initial demands, when he asked in July for a package of seven first-round picks and players," discussions have apparently been renewed at this stage.
New York may not want to give up that many draft picks, but landing a star like Mitchell is going to be expensive.
He is a three-time All-Star who averaged 25.9 points, 5.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from deep last season. He is also a proven playoff performer, as evidenced by his career 28.3 points per game mark in the postseason.
Throw in the fact Mitchell is under contract through 2024-25 with a player option for 2025-26, and New York would have some time for a roster, with the Jazz star, Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle and others to come together, assuming the latter trio remain in any trade.
In an ideal world for the Knicks, the chance to play alongside Mitchell on the stage New York provides could convince free agents to come for slightly less than they would make elsewhere.
Still, giving up so many assets to build a team with a realistic second-round ceiling is understandably a reason for concern even if Mitchell would be the franchise's biggest star since Carmelo Anthony.
Whether the Knicks decide to do so remains to be seen, but the franchise last reached the 47-win mark in 2012-13. Before that, the most recent 47-win season came in 2000-01, meaning the Knicks have reached the level they are concerned isn't high enough just one time in the past two-plus decades.
That is the equation the front office has to consider as discussions with the Jazz unfold.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action during the second half of Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 21, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
After dealing Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this summer for a massive haul, Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz are looking for an even bigger return for Donovan Mitchell.
Mitchell has been heavily linked to the New York Knicks since the Jazz began listening to trade offers for the veteran guard shortly after dealing Gobert. However, the Knicks were "turned off" by Ainge's initial trade demands, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.
Last month, Ainge requested a package of seven first-round picks in exchange for Mitchell, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. New York has eight tradable first-round selections at its disposal.
That is an enormous asking price, and the Knicks, while heavily intrigued by Mitchell, are concerned about "giving away too many future assets" because it will leave them without enough to contend for a title in the future, according to Berman.
New York made a series of trades during the 2022 draft to clear the cap space necessary to sign Jalen Brunson, but it could lose a first-round pick as punishment if the NBA finds in its investigation that the franchise tampered in its pursuit and signing of the former Dallas Mavericks guard.
In addition to draft picks, the Jazz are also searching for players in exchange for Mitchell, according to Berman, who cites a belief around the NBA that head coach Tom Thibodeau would prefer to give up R.J. Barrett over Quentin Grimes in a package.
"Thibodeau pushed for Grimes in the 2021 draft and thinks he could make a good fit in a Mitchell-Brunson scenario," Berman wrote.
While trade talks between the two sides initially had died down, Berman reported that "there has been renewed back-and-forth."
The Knicks are set to enter the 2022-23 campaign with a starting rotation that includes Brunson, Barrett, Evan Fournier, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson. They also have solid depth pieces in Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley and Cam Reddish.
However, adding Mitchell could take New York from a playoff team to an Eastern Conference contender.
The 25-year-old has been a staple in Utah's lineup since his rookie year in the 2017-18 season and is coming off an impressive 2021-22 campaign in which he averaged 25.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 67 games while shooting 44.8 percent from the floor and 35.5 percent from deep.
Over his five seasons with the Jazz, he has earned three All-Star selections, which all have come over the last three seasons. He was also named to the 2017-18 All-Rookie Team.
In addition to the Knicks, the Miami Heat have also been involved in trade discussions for Mitchell.
