“Jazz wanted to rob them” Danny Ainge’s vendetta against Knicks that led to failed Donovan Mitchell trade
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Donovan Mitchell
The Knicks are “shocked and disappointed” that they did not land Donovan Mitchell, who is now with an Eastern Conference rival, the Cavaliers. On paper, Cleveland’s backcourt of Darius Garland and Mitchell is clearly superior to the Knicks. Instead R.J. Barrett was given a four-year, $120 million contract extension by the New York Knicks earlier this week, but the move is being viewed as a “consolation” after losing out on Donovan Mitchell, who was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
There are indications that the Knicks were never given the opportunity to make their best offer before Jazz president Danny Ainge fell in love with the Cavaliers’ package, which included three unprotected first-round picks — something Knicks president Leon Rose had refused to include in his offers. It was no coincidence that the Knicks announced the official signing of RJ Barrett to a contract extension just moments before ESPN reported Mitchell was headed to Cleveland.
Cleveland pulls a dark horse in signing Donovan Mitchell
The New York Knicks appear to be experiencing more misery and misfortune after missing out on Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell’s trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers shocked the league, but Knicks fans felt it the most. One big-time trade reignited free agency fever. The Utah Jazz received Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, three future unprotected first-round picks, and two pick swaps in exchange for their All-Star. Mitchell’s trade was unavoidable. While most expected the Knicks to pull it off, few saw the Cavs coming.
The Cavaliers swooped in when no one expected them to. Despite the fact that they gave up a lot of assets, most experts believe it was a good deal. The Knicks are probably kicking themselves for not going after Mitchell. Dan Patrick, a sports radio host, compared this moment to the year the Knicks missed out on LeBron James. The New York Knicks had a chance to sign King James in 2010, but were defeated by the Miami Heat.
Patrick said “I remember talking to (ESPN’s) Brian Windhorst to the mothership … and I thought somebody leaked in quotes, ‘The Cavs interested in Donovan Mitchell,'” Patrick said. “I thought, ‘OK, that’s maybe to spark the Knicks to, ‘You guys, let’s go let’s get it done.’ Come on, RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin, and a couple other players and unprotected picks and then you could get Donovan Mitchell.’ “He was there the night that LeBron had ‘The Decision.’ So, they miss out on LeBron at ‘The Decision.’ They miss out on Donovan Mitchell, who was there as a kid at ‘The Decision.'”
A resurgent Cleveland
The trade that the Cavs were able to complete to acquire Donovan Mitchell has completely transformed their team. The three-time All-Star is given the opportunity to lead a young and rising team in their quest to return to the playoffs. The Cavs won 44 games last season, but their loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in Tournament cost them a playoff spot. Despite the loss, Cavs fans are excited to see the team achieve some level of success in its second post-LeBron era. Their 2021-22 season demonstrated a lot of promise, and they’re just one piece away from returning to postseason play.
Garland and Mitchell, both 6-foot-1, form one of the NBA’s smallest backcourts, which will likely cause problems for the Cavs’ defence, which finished fifth in the league last season. They are, however, supported by two of the NBA’s best defensive big men in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. The two young 7-footers blocked three shots per game, and Mobley has the potential to become a transcendent, switchable perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
Looking at the team, they don’t have a pure scorer on whom they can rely heavily. Despite averaging 21.7 points per game last season, Darius Garland was the only player to average at least 20. They now have a chance to have an equal distribution of roles by adding Mitchell. Garland can concentrate on being the team’s floor general while still scoring on occasion. The defence will be led by Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. And Isaac Okoro can be a dependable catch-and-shoot wing player for them. Fans are excited to see Mitchell in action as the Cavs enter a new era.
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