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The Utah Jazz may be focused on working with the New York Knicks for a deal centered around Donovan Mitchell, but the ‘Bockers should not fall under the illusion that the Salt Lake City franchise will trade the All-Star guard to them.
As NBA insider Marc Stein reported, the Knicks could face competition in their chase for Mitchell. For one, aside from the Miami Heat, the Brooklyn Nets could also get involved and work on a Kevin Durant trade that would land them the 25-year-old.
Mitchell is Miami’s favorite current trade target not named Kevin Durant. Brooklyn is believed to covet Mitchell with a similar fervor to install him as a potential successor to Durant as the Nets’ cornerstone player. Even if you believe that the Heat simply don’t have sufficient draft assets to outbid the Knicks for Mitchell, or that Phoenix’s retention of restricted free agent Deandre Ayton decreases the Suns’ ability to trade for Durant and thus makes it even harder on the Nets to concoct a multiteam trade construction that brings them Mitchell, New York must likewise be careful not to underestimate its reputable competition here on top of everything else.
Utah has a huge asking price for Donovan Mitchell, highlighted by at least six first round picks, which reportedly turned New York off a bit. Stein noted that the Knicks have fears they might be bidding against themselves if they give in to such demands, but true enough, they are not the Jazz's only options.
Of course it is unknown if the Jazz can land several picks and young players in return for Mitchell anywhere else, but they sure look like they'll try to get the best package they can for the guard–even if it means facilitating a blockbuster deal with multiple teams.
For now, it doesn't look like any Mitchell trade is close to happening.
