The New York Knicks and Utah Jazz have been haggling about everything from picks to young players and salary fillers in the Donovan Mitchell trade talks.
Utah wants a haul of at least five first-round picks or more than what they got for Rudy Gobert. And they also covet Quentin Grimes.
On the other hand, New York doesn’t want to get fleeced like the Minnesota Timberwolves. And they want to keep Grimes.
Hence, trade talks have stalled.
Enter the Los Angeles Lakers.
A desperate Lakers team wanting to offload Russell Westbrook reportedly joined the Jazz and Knicks trade conversations a few weeks ago in a potential three-team trade, according to HoopsHype.
Per Mike Scotto: “The proposed three-team trade scenario included Westbrook going to Utah and getting bought out. Utah would send Donovan Mitchell to the Knicks, a combination of two players, including Patrick Beverley and Jordan Clarkson, Bojan Bogdanovic or Malik Beasley to the Lakers, and the Jazz would receive significant draft pick compensation from the Knicks and Lakers. The Knicks would also have to part with veteran salary filler(s), such as Derrick Rose to help make the salaries work.”
In this scenario, the Knicks can potentially get away with Mitchell without the inclusion of their young players but giving up significant draft capital. The Jazz would receive their much desired substantial draft pick compensation, which could double the Rudy Gobert haul. This entails the Lakers adding their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks to the Knicks’ package of at least five first-round picks going to Utah.
Well, it’s a pipe dream.
The talks were several weeks ago, so it appears the Jazz are not interested in taking back Westbrook and buying out his enormous expiring contract.
The likelier outcome is the Knicks parting ways with one or two of their young players but with fewer picks or more picks plus veteran salary fillers for Mitchell.
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