Getty Donovan Mitchell handling the basketball during Game One against the Boston Celtics on May 7.
Following a second-round exit in the 2023-2024 Eastern Conference playoffs, the New York Knicks will head back to the drawing board, looking for means to upgrade their roster.
That upgrade won’t be a trade for Donovan Mitchell, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
On the “HoopsHype Podcast” with SNY’s Ian Begley and The New York Post’s Stefan Bondy, Scotto made sure to nix any idea of Mitchell making his way to New York.
“Bondy, to your question about who that star would be, let’s get this out of the way: The Donovan Mitchell-to-New York ship has sailed,” Scotto said on June 16.
Mitchell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers from his first NBA home, the Utah Jazz, in the summer of 2022.
Before that deal, the Knicks had been discussed as a destination, and now his future is again up in the air as he seeks a contract extension, which he is expected to sign, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer.
New York Faces Star Question This Summer
Losing the Eastern Conference semifinals for two straight years doesn’t warrant panic, especially considering the Knicks’ injuries. Even though they’re led by All-NBA point guard Jalen Brunson, they were without Julius Randle (a former All-NBA forward) this postseason.
The Knicks are at a fork in the road. Will they try and pull off a blockbuster deal for a second or third star? Or will the team simply reinforce the bench and run it back with hopes of putting their injury luck behind them?
Leon Rose, president of basketball operations, has been consistent in his stated desire to bring New York its first championship since 1973. His track record with transactions reinforces that.
Rose won’t shy away from making a play at a top talent this summer. But that talent must be available.
Knicks’ Trade Options This Summer
As of June 17, the Knicks’ options for a star acquisition appeared limited. Crossing Mitchell off the list trims it to only a handful of potential targets.
Paul George, a nine-time All-Star, has a player option for 2024-2025.
He’s expected to decline it and explore his options if the LA Clippers don’t grant his wishes for an extension by June 29.
Bondy told Scotto on the same podcast that George’s availability could play a role in New York’s hopes to re-sign OG Anunoby.
“One X-factor in the Anunoby sweepstakes is Paul George,” Bondy said. “If George doesn’t go to Philadelphia or Oklahoma City, those two teams will have to spend their money to get somebody.”
There’s also Karl-Anthony Towns. After falling well short in the Western Conference finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves have decisions to make on their luxury tax roster.
“I’d say executives around the league are monitoring Minnesota going forward to see if they can withstand that exorbitant payroll coming up,” Scotto said.
Then there’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s three years removed from his first NBA championship. After the Milwaukee Bucks went all in on Damian Lillard last summer, the team won just 49 games after winning 51 and 58 games in the previous two seasons.
Fred Katz wrote in a June 17 column for The Athletic that Anteotkounmpo is “the Knicks’ dream scenario.”
“Antetokounmpo is the Knicks’ dream scenario, as he would be anyone’s. The sharks are circling after the Bucks’ disappointing 2023-24, which ended in an injury-induced first-round playoff defeat,” Katz wrote.
Outside of the aforementioned trio, no other top tier talent is considered available, as of yet.
Rose and the New York front office will keep the phone lines open.
They have the safety net of running it back with a 50-win roster beneath them.