New York Knicks Trade Rumor: Team 'Monitoring' Donovan Mitchell Happiness

Still eager to trade for a star, the New York Knicks are keeping tabs on Donovan Mitchell's situation with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

To the surprise of no one, there would be a number of teams interested in Donovan Mitchell if the star guard was made available by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The New York Knicks would, once again, probably at the top of that list: during the summer of 2022 the Knicks were by far the favorites to acquire Mitchell, a New York State native, from the Utah Jazz. But Utah's asking price, said to include too much of the Knicks' young foundation, was apparently too high.

Though the Cavs eventually stepped in, the opportunity to acquire the four-time All-Star has evidently not passed just yet.

Donovan Mitchell guarded by Josh Hart during a game last season / Wendell Cruz, USA TODAY SPORTS

According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, executive teams, including the Knicks are "monitoring ... Mitchell's happiness" in Cleveland and would jump at the opportunity if he was made available. Mitchell's future was brought into question earlier this summer when he declined to sign a long-term deal in Cleveland. As it stands, he's signed through next season before a $37 million player option arrives in 2025-26.

The price for a player of Mitchell's caliber would be a lot to pay. Prior negotiations, for example, were said to include the Knicks' younger talents like RJ Barrett and Quentin Grimes. 

But trading for Mitchell would no doubt end the Knicks' search for a superstar. The dream for the Knicks would be to have a star-studded backcourt of Mitchell working next to Jalen Brunson. 

Knicks vs. Pistons Preview: How, Who to Watch as Homestand Ends

The Knicks (10-7) having a solid season with what's mostly the same lineup from last year's 47-win group, the one change being a de facto swap of Obi Toppin for free agent Donte DiVincenzo. But the Knicks have larger aspirations than mere first-round victories and Mitchell's talents can potentially turn any team into a contender, at least on paper.