“Pretty High-Level Stuff Going On”: NBA Insider Reveals Childish Antics Were at Play During Knicks – Jazz Trade Talks

When the two clubs started negotiating a trade in July, the New York Knicks offered the Utah Jazz a package of three players, including RJ Barrett, and three unprotected first-round selections in exchange for shooting guard Donovan Mitchell. That clearly did not happen, as Mitchell is now a Cleveland Cavalier thanks to a blockbuster deal the Cavs orchestrated to acquire the three-time All-Star.

All three clubs are now on very different trajectories as a result of the Jazz dealing Mitchell to the Cavaliers rather than the Knicks. After trading its two stars, Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, for a plethora of choices and players, Utah is in full-on rebuilding mode.

Donovan Mitchell Knicks
Credits; New York Post

There seemed to be some back and forth during the summer trade talks between the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz. The deadline for reaching an agreement was set for Monday night by Knicks President Leon Rose. Just after that deadline passed, they extended RJ Barrett’s contract, ostensibly ending negotiations with the Jazz.

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Brian Windhorst reveals crazy details from the Knicks and Jazz trade talks

“There is a lot of different situations and twists and turns here. It was a very intense negotiation between the Jazz and the Knicks. There was a lot of skin in the game, a lot of people involved, and from what I can tell, as it was unfolding, there was pretty high-level stuff going on and even some 3rd-grade level stuff going on behind the scenes,” Brian said on Bart & Hahn.

This is not wildly unexpected. According to sources, Danny Ainge wanted the majority of the Knicks’ top players, including RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickly, Obi Toppin, and at least three unprotected first-round selections. He has a reputation for being a tough negotiator.

 

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