It seems like it’s been more than 11 years since the Knicks took their last calculated big swing via trade.
It was 2011 and the Knicks looked out West to get a star. The next star of New York. The player that would take them back to the NBA Finals and restore the lore of the Knicks.
Jim Dolan and the Knicks brass would trade for Carmelo Anthony. What fans forget was the deal involved a lot more than Anthony.
The Knicks received Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman while sending out Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov and a 2014 first-round draft pick and two future second-round picks and cash.
We all know how the trade worked out. The Knicks never restored themselves back to the center of the NBA universe. Instead, they made a series of short-sighted decisions plunging the organization into one punch line after another.
Fast-forward to 2022 and the Knicks find themselves in the same position. It involves looking out West for a star that they think will make them legitimate contenders in the East.
Donovan Mitchell is a native New Yorker. Mitchell is caught up in Danny Ainge’s “everything must go” sale. But don’t get it twisted, nothing is coming at a discount.
The Jazz moved on from Rudy Gobert sending him to Minnesota. The Timberwolves sent a premium package in return. The Jazz received Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler (No. 22 pick in 2022 Draft), Jarred Vanderbilt, 2023 first-round pick, 2025 first-round pick, 2026 pick swap, 2027 first-round pick and 2029 first-round pick.
For the Knicks to get Mitchell, it will take something similar.
On paper, New York has plenty to offer. They have eight first round picks and a bevy of young players. The difference between 2022 and 2011 is Leon Rose.
Rose could be very cautious of giving up everything for Mitchell. In today’s NBA, it’s hard to win without contributing depth. Look no further than the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors depth contributed productive minutes whereas the Celtics depth didn’t and it proved to be the difference in that series.
That means New York cannot give up both their depth AND their future ala the Los Angeles Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade.
In a deal for Mitchell, the Knicks will have to hold firm and not include more than three first-round picks and three young players. Quentin Grimes would definitely be one of the players involved. After that, New York should tell Utah to pick two out of a list three players: Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, and Miles McBride.
Anything more than that and the Knicks risk having history repeat itself. Something they can’t afford.
