The NBA trade market is a little like a game of hearts. Early in the game, rumors are bandied about just like clubs and diamonds and (most) spades are played; it's important setup, but ultimately has no effect on the score. Then someone plays that first heart, "breaking" the suit; suddenly points are being awarded left and right.
The New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors broke hearts and kicked off the NBA trade season on Saturday, with OG Anunoby now a member of the Knicks and Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett headed to Canada. What's more, the Knicks clearly aren't done trading.
New York Knicks aren't done trading
In trading RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, the Knicks moved both their most and least-efficient creators. They now have Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle...and nothing else. Every other player is best deployed in a supporting role or as finishers. If the Knicks are going to contend, they need to find a true offensive co-star for Brunson, a player who can create shots at a high level. That player could be Donovan Mitchell.
It has been reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers are not interested in trading Donovan Mitchell, but that information only holds water until it doesn't. Check out this report from a week ago that says the Raptors will "do whatever it takes to keep Anunoby" and you can imagine a world where the Cavs change their stance on Mitchell.
If the Knicks are coming for Donovan Mitchell, then, what would their trade offer be?
What could the Knicks offer for Mitchell?
The single-best trade asset that the New York Knicks had was Immanuel Quickley, and he is out the door to pair with Scottie Barnes and give the Toronto Raptors a talented two-man core to build off of. Otherwise, however, the Knicks held onto all of their first-round picks, leaving them with eight picks and three swaps to use to go star-hunting.
In a similar vein, the Knicks moved RJ Barrett (and RJ Barrett's contract) to the Raptors, but retained Evan Fournier and his expiring deal to begin the salary matching for another player. To get a player of Mitchell's caliber and salary, however, they either need to include Julius Randle or pair Fournier and another mid-tier player such as Mitchell Robinson, Josh Hart or Donte DiVincenzo.
Finally, Quentin Grimes remains the Knicks' only remaining prospect asset, and he would almost certainly need to be included in any trade for a star. That gives a fairly neat outline for a Donovan Mitchell trade offer, and all that remains is to fill inside the lines with the specific draft picks and matching salary. Here is one such way that could look:
For the Knicks, this deal gives them a second offensive star to pair with Jalen Brunson, with Julius Randle now freed up to ease into a slightly-lower usage role. The size of OG Anunoby on the wing gives the Knicks support that the Cavaliers never did to their small backcourt, giving New York hope they can sustain a strong defense even with Mitchell and Brunson paired together. They move Mitchell Robinson to maximize their push this season, as Robinson will miss the remainder of the season.
The Knicks could start Brunson, Mitchell, Anunoby, Randle and Isaiah Hartenstein, with Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart and Precious Achiuwa coming off of the bench. That's a group that should push even the very best teams in the Eastern Conference.
What about the Cavaliers? Would they say yes to this trade?
Grade the Trade: Do the Cavaliers say yes?
As with any trade proposal involving Donovan Mitchell, the most important step is the Cavaliers deciding that they are open to trading Mitchell. Whether he comes to them and indicates that he is not going to re-sign, or they decide playing the odds in free agency is unwise, Cleveland has to be willing to come to the table.
If they are, this is a trade that brings a lot of value back to the Cavaliers. Quentin Grimes has had a rocky start to the season but he profiles as an ideal 3-and-D player, the kind of guy who can fit into nearly any lineup. The Dallas pick is likely to convey this season and give the Cavs ammunition at the Trade Deadline or a second pick in June's draft; the other two are speculating in the future and offer upside if the Knicks take a step back years from now.
Even if it's fair value, however, it also puts the onus on Cleveland to find another subsequent trade partner. Even if they trade Mitchell this is a group that will want to keep competing both this season and next. Evan Fournier is unlikely to be in the rotation (although he deserves a shot after being banished in New York) and Robinson is out for the season. The Cavs would likely turn around and try to shop one or the other to go hunting themselves.
Instead, they should force the Knicks to do that work of finding Cleveland a trade partner and turn this into a three-team deal. The Portland Trail Blazers were willing to trade Damian Lillard for Jrue Holiday and then shop separately for a Holiday deal, but that happened before the season with a premium player; the Cavs won't have the same flexibility and robust trade market during the season.
There are the bones of a reasonable trade here if a third team is pulled in, and the Knicks have enough assets not to be laughed away from the negotiating table. This deal, however, doesn't offer the Cavs enough for them to pull the trigger. They'll hang onto their Queen of Spades and wait for a better hand.
Grade: C
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