Securing a seatbelt for a protracted trip might be the very best posture throughout these Donovan Mitchell commerce negotiations. Things can change straight away, or with one provide, however studies counsel the Jazz and Knicks aren’t shut.
Yet.
Danny Ainge, the highest decision-maker for the Jazz, is a affected person man. We may see it dragging. But the Knicks have the property to tug it off, in the event that they want to empty the chest, and beneath we’ll discover 3 ways such a commerce may go down:
THE DRAFT PACKAGE
Given Utah’s preferences, that is in all probability the almost definitely path to a deal. The Knicks personal 11 first-rounders over the subsequent seven years, with eight eligible for buying and selling.
Four of the picks, acquired in trades, are protected and never as useful because the Knicks personal picks. Leon Rose may also embody choose swaps to sweeten the deal.
For context, the Jazz acquired 5 first-round picks for Rudy Gobert from the Timberwolves, together with three unprotected future first-round picks and one that’s solely top-5 protected. They additionally negotiated a choose swap.
That huge haul wasn’t good for the Knicks’ negotiations. Mitchell ought to return greater than Gobert, contemplating he’s youthful with a extra fascinating contract.
According to Jazz beat reporter Tony Jones, the Jazz need “at least six” first-round picks from the Knicks with a number of prospects for Mitchell. That contains Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes.
A colossal bundle.
THE RJ BARRETT PACKAGE
Barrett stays the Knicks greatest prospect and commerce piece at simply 22 years previous. Theoretically, his inclusion in any deal would offset some property departing within the aforementioned draft package deal. But Barrett additionally has a contract extension looming, which maxes out at over $180 million and begs the query: Should the Jazz even need Barrett on a nine-figure deal?
As the Daily News reported, the negotiations on Barrett’s extension will take a while, regardless of different 2019 draft decisions (Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and Darius Garland) ending their offers quickly after free company opened. It’s straightforward to learn that because the Knicks both not being keen to supply Barrett the complete max or to carry off as a result of he’s a doable commerce chip.
There are completely different views on Barrett’s worth. The naysayers level to his inefficiency and lack of athleticism. The supporters level to his power, poise and willingness to defend. We assume he’ll be an All-Star and should discover out quickly which facet the Jazz fall on.
THE COMPLICATED MULTI-TEAM
The Suns matching Deandre Ayton’s provide took some enjoyable out of this train, however we do have a novel scenario the place Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are each obtainable, together with Indiana’s Myles Turner.
With a lot in flux, there could also be methods to facilitate widespread happiness.
In different phrases, one staff could discover extra worth in Barrett, Evan Fournier or Julius Randle than the Jazz. That can translate to property outgoing to a 3rd staff for Mitchell. Or, the Durant sweepstakes opens an avenue to select up a wing defender that matches higher with a Jalen Brunson-Mitchell backcourt.
We suggest this doozy, and depart it as much as the NBA carpologists to supply the fillers to match salaries:
Knicks get: Donovan Mitchell
Pacers get: RJ Barrett
Jazz get: Russell Westbrook (expiring contract), two first-round picks from Lakers, first-round choose from Nets, two first-round picks from Pacers, two first-round picks from Knicks.
Nets get: Myles Turner, Evan Fournier
Lakers get: Kyrie Irving
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Source: www.bostonherald.com