Immediate trade for Cavs’ Mitchell ruled out by the Knicks

The New York Knicks don’t intend to pursue Donovan Mitchell forward of the Feb. 8 commerce deadline. In response to Marc Stein, via his SteinLine newsletter, the Cleveland Cavaliers have additionally made it clear they do not intend on buying and selling their star guard. 

“Preliminary indications are that the Knicks don’t intend to mount an all-out pursuit of Donovan Mitchell,” Stein reported. “The Cleveland Cavaliers, for that matter, signaled to rival groups all through December that they are not ready to entertain Mitchell overtures anyway.”

New York has been enamored with Mitchell since he was made out there for commerce by the Utah Jazz in the summertime of 2022. The Knicks’ determination to play hardball price them their probability of including the New York native. 

Mitchell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers later that summer time. Nonetheless, the Knicks have retained a well-documented curiosity within the All-Star guard. The curiosity has been reciprocated.

There’s rising curiosity within the Knicks following their trade to acquire OG Anunoby, Treasured Achiuwa and Malaki Flynn. Sending out RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley was an indication of intent from the entrance workplace. 

Nonetheless, the Knicks are quick within the guard division following the commerce, and that is the place Mitchell would have come into the equation.

Mitchell will possible stay because the Knicks’ ideally suited finish objective, the place they purchase him additional down the road through commerce or free company. For now, although, they want a guard to assist juice the bench, and that is not a task you’ll ask Mitchell to fill. 

Invoice Simmons of The Ringer recently suggested Jordan Clarkson as a possible goal for the Knicks. His quantity taking pictures and monitor document of success off the bench make him the perfect prototype for New York. 

There’s a little over a month remaining till the commerce deadline slams shut. The Knicks might want to transfer quick in the event that they need to additional enhance their roster and doubtlessly embark on a deep postseason run. 

Discovering the suitable participant will probably be difficult, although. Particularly if the entrance workplace needs to maintain most of their tradeable belongings for a future run at making an attempt to pry Mitchell out of Cleveland.