New York Knicks: What does RJ Barrett’s extension mean for Donovan Mitchell?

Does the RJ Barrett extension complicate the New York Knicks’ trade talks for Donovan Mitchell? 

Over the past couple of weeks, it seemed as if we were inching closer and closer to a tweet that would say, “the New York Knicks are finalizing a trade for Donovan Mitchell.” However, after it was reported that the Knicks are finalizing a four-year extension with RJ Barrett, it’s time to rethink everything.

I don’t think this extension completely takes the Knicks out of the Mitchell sweepstakes, but as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski puts it, it will certainly complicate things. Question is, how much does it truly complicate trade talks between the Knicks and Utah Jazz?

Perhaps an agreement for the Donovan Mitchell trade is close?

Maybe I’m alone here, but perhaps the fact that the Knicks OK’d this extension for Barrett means that a deal for Mitchell is close. And maybe one that would have Julius Randle landing on a different team, opening up some money for this extension?

There’s still plenty that will come to light over the next few days and we’ll certainly gain a bit more clarity, but I don’t see how this extension gets done if Barrett was going to be part of the trade package for Mitchell.

I also don’t think we can entirely throw away the possibility that the Knicks drew a line in the sand and came to the conclusion that they’re just going to move forward with their current roster, and it was time for a Barrett extension.

Maybe the Knicks and Jazz simply didn’t see eye-to-eye when it mattered most and New York didn’t think there was a deal to be had before the start of the season. There are so many possibilities that can be so.

At least for Barrett, he deserved the extension he was in line for. He’s improved in every year he’s been in the league and took another developmental step this past season. If he can stabilize his deep shooting, he has everything it takes to make the jump to stardom this season.

Barrett is just getting better and it made little sense not to extend him if he wasn’t going to be traded for Mitchell.

While we continue to wait and see how this all plays out, I think one thing that’s safe to assume is that Barrett isn’t going anywhere for a while. And for the Barrett truthers in New York, that should be great news to their eyes.