Report: Jazz, Knicks begin Donovan Mitchell trade talks; Quentin Grimes eyed

Here we go!

The New York Knicks and Utah Jazz have reportedly started negotiations to bring three-time NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell home.

According to The Athletic, the Knicks have emerged as the “focused destination” for the Jazz star guard over the past several days, with talks advancing to a discussion of a deal framework.

Quentin Grimes, last year’s 25th overall pick, is reportedly generating interest from the Jazz. The 22-year-old Grimes has emerged as one of the promising two-way players in the league. He is among the frontrunners in the NBA Summer League MVP race in Las Vegas, anchoring the Knicks’ 2-1 record. They are scheduled to play the Orlando Magic Thursday night.

Grimes fits the bill for the Jazz, who are focused on draft compensation and young players on rookie-scale deals, which the Knicks have that no rival team can offer. Over the weekend, Utah turned down an “insignificant” offer from the Miami Heat centered around reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Tyler Herro, who is extension-eligible. The Heat need a third team to supply more draft picks on top of their two future first-rounders to the Jazz.

Owing to their clever drafting and trading, the Knicks have 11 first-round draft picks over the next seven years and can use eight of their collection — four of their own and four from other teams — in the potential blockbuster trade. They have also stockpiled intriguing young players on rookie-scale deals. Aside from Grimes, the Knicks have RJ Barret and Cam Reddish on rookie deals, but both are extension eligible this offseason like Herro. Beyond them, they have Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley, and Miles McBride on a much better team-controlled contract. Jericho Sims, whose two-way deal was recently converted into an NBA standard contract, cannot be traded until Dec. 15.

The Knicks appear to be the frontrunner, but they are wary of stripping down their roster. Their goal is to find a way to acquire Mitchell and still have a solid supporting cast and depth to contend in the Eastern Conference.

That is where their deep draft capital comes in handy.

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