“Each Side Waiting Each Other to Blink”: Another Roadblock in the Donovan Mitchell Trade as Jazz and Knicks Fail to Reach a Middle Ground
Donovan Mitchell’s departure from the Utah Jazz may stretch on well into the summer, much like the ongoing Kevin Durant trade story. Rudy Gobert’s trade with Utah appeared to be completed quickly. While the Jazz is aware that this is the last significant move that will determine their future course, Donovan Mitchell has at least three more seasons left on his deal.
Utah has the luxury of time to wait, but it must make full use of this chance. The Brooklyn Nets are in the exact same situation as they are with Durant. Nearly a week has passed since news broke that the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz were in talks to trade for three-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell. The offseason has reached the point when it ought to be coming to an end.
The fact that Mitchell ended up in New York has some logic to it. The alleged targets have included Mitchell throughout the whole time. The Jazz is starting to rebuild in the meantime. It’s not a fluke that this is taking longer to work out, despite the fact that these two teams seem to be a perfect match.
Knicks, Jazz taking too much time on the Donovan Mitchell trade
Fred Katz of The Athletic reported: “The Jazz know the Knicks have jonesed for a star for years. The Knicks know their B-package is better than any A-package from other rumored Mitchell suitors. Both sides have diligent ways of trying to win deals. They are perfect trade partners, but imperfect negotiation partners. For now, it seems each side is waiting for the other to blink.”
Adrian Wojnarowski:
"Utah talked with the Knicks early last week, exchanged some ideas of what a potential Donovan Mitchell deal might look like. Now, the Jazz are out talking to the rest of the league seeing what else might be available to them."
(via ESPN) pic.twitter.com/RESrYka09m
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 19, 2022
The outcome of a Mitchell to Knicks trade will depend on the value that is far greater than marginal. Despite all the speculation about how many draft picks the Jazz are seeking in exchange for the 25-year-old, it has been evident over the last week that the quality of the selections is more crucial than the amount.
But if the Knicks and Jazz can’t come together in the middle, none of it will matter. Mitchell may be stranded in Salt Lake City for a longer period of time than anticipated if the Jazz dig in, as it seems they are about to do.
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