Donovan Mitchell to the Knicks? Revisiting potential trade with Jazz and how it shaped current New York team

Before the Knicks built this iteration of their NBA title contender, New York was close to adding Donovan Mitchell via trade. In 2022, the Utah Jazz traded Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a package of players and picks that helped jumpstart the rebuild. However, that came after talks between the Jazz and New York Knicks broke down during the offseason, preventing Mitchell from returning to New York as the franchise player.

In hindsight, it's hard to imagine any of the Knicks, Cavaliers or Jazz regretting how the trade talks played out in 2022, especially with the Knicks and Cavaliers advancing this far in the NBA playoffs. As a result, the Mitchell trade rumors have become one of the biggest what-ifs in recent NBA history. Here's a look back at how the Knicks almost traded for Mitchell.

NBA PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket Donovan Mitchell-Knicks trade rumors During the Summer of 2022, the Knicks were heavily rumored to be the top destination for Donovan Mitchell, whose time with the Jazz was coming to an end. Utah was seemingly committed to a rebuild and had just traded Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves , signaling a teardown after a successful tenure over the previous half-decade. Mitchell is originally from New York and was rumored to prefer playing for the Knicks in his hometown.

The Knicks, meanwhile, were on the rise but needed a star to be the face of the franchise moving forward. MORE : Breaking down Donovan Mitchell's New York roots Why didn't the Knicks trade for Donovan Mitchell? In the end, the Knicks and Jazz couldn't agree on what the Knicks would sent the Cavaliers for Mitchell in a deal.