Is Donovan Mitchell Still in Play For the New York Knicks?
The New York Knicks are looking to build upon their most successful season in a decade, one that saw them win 47 games and a playoff series for the first time since 2013. But the team is reportedly still on the hunt for a superstar to help push them over the edge.
Many have been spun through the Knicks' rumor mill but Donovan Mitchell has been one of the most common. The idea of the Elmsford, NY native returning to the Empire State reached a boiling point during the 2022 offseason but Mitchell was instead dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he became a victim of the Knicks' aforementioned conference quarterfinal triumph.
Donovan Mitchell (L) drives against Josh Hart during last year's playoffs
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
The Knicks passed on a trade for the star guard because of several "sticking points" such as young starters RJ Barrett and Quentin Grimes. But the Mitchell sweepstakes might re-open if recent events out of Cleveland are any indication.
Mitchell himself fueled the fire when asked about a contract extension as the Cavs reconvened for the 2023-24 season. The four-time All-Star strongly implied that he was in no rush to make any long-term plans in Cleveland.
“I still have the opportunity to sign an extension next summer,” Mitchell said last week, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. “My primary focus is this, just trying to go out there and trying to be the best team we can be and bring a championship to the city and go from there."
"We obviously had a season that you could kind of rate went really well until it went really poorly. So, for us, that’s where all of our heads are at. That’s where my head is at.”
With Jalen Brunson set to be a lasting part of the Knicks' vision, it's becoming a question of whether the team needs to court Mitchell again. Brunson's performance with Team USA at the FIBA Basketball World Cup hinted that he was capable of being an undisputed leader and top offensive option, so adding an expensive backcourt threat like Mitchell might feel redundant.
The Knicks are already in a position to make some noise in the playoffs this season, but the question is, how much further could a superstar like Mitchell take the team? Would he take them over the top or would the young value that the Knicks give up to get him be too costly?
