NBA Trade Rumors: Donovan Mitchell remains on New York Knicks’ radar

NBA Cleveland Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell (David Richard-USA TODAY Sports)
NBA Cleveland Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell (David Richard-USA TODAY Sports) /
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NBA Trade Rumors: Heading into the offseason, Donovan Mitchell remains on the New York Knicks’ radar.

Despite a somewhat disappointing end to their playoff run at the hands of the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals, it’s hard not to look at the New York Knicks in a hopeful light. This is a team that has made major strides over the last few years and one that will have the opportunity to make another move up the Eastern Conference standings this summer.

But one potential move that remains on the team’s radar as a possibility down the road is one for Donovan Mitchell, who was traded to the Cavaliers last summer.

Even after he was traded to Cleveland, Mitchell has been linked as a player that New York is keeping an eye on. And that reportedly remains true. The Knicks will certainly explore a move for a star player this offseason but according to a recent report, they’re keeping tabs on what’s happening with Mitchell in Cleveland.

Heading into the 2023-24 season, Mitchell has two years remaining on his contract before he could opt out to test free agency if he wants. That means this season could end up being huge in determining what he wants to do in the future.

If the Cavs take a bit of a step back this season or have an overall disappointing year, it could distort how Mitchell views the future of the team and could put pressure on the front office to make a decision one way or another.

But we’re still far off from having those discussions. At the earliest, those whispers won’t truly begin to take place until after this season. That said, I don’t expect the flirting between the Knicks and Mitchell to stop.

New York has the assets to go out and get nearly any player they want, but they should absolutely wait for the right moment. It could come this offseason, it could come next offseason, or it could even come in 2-3 years when Mitchell becomes a free agent.

The future is bright for the Knicks and heading into the offseason, this is a team that should be considered primed to take another big step in their progression as a franchise.

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The question is, how big of a step will the team end up making this offseason? And what will that step tangibly look like?