Donovan Mitchell will witness a phenomenal change of scenery next season. The talented guard joins a Cleveland Cavaliers squad brimming with young talent, hungry for success in the post-LeBron era. The franchise dispatched several assets to Utah to acquire Mitchell’s talents.
To seal the deal, the Cavs traded Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, and Ochai Agbaji to the Utah Jazz. They also sent substantial draft compensation, including three unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps in their trade package. The Cavs’ acquisition of Mitchell is unquestionably a massive victory for the franchise. The addition of the 25-year-old All-Star elevates them to become legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference.
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While Cleveland is in a state of euphoria, all hell has broken free in New York. For the majority of the offseason, the New York Knicks were viewed as the frontrunners for Mitchell’s talents. In fact, following the blockbuster trade, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that the Knicks offered the Utah Jazz a drooling trade package.
Reportedly, they offered RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Mitchell Robinson, and three unprotected first-round picks. The Jazz, however, turned it down.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania later revealed that the Knicks offered Utah a second trade package that included Barret, Immanuel Quickley, and two unprotected first-round picks. However, the Jazz, seeking more draft compensation and possibly a young player, turned down the Knicks’ final offer.
"They had everything necessary to get a deal done … in their last offer they put on the table RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, two unprotected first-round picks but Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz wanted more."@ShamsCharania reports on Utah taking the Cavs offer over the Knicks. pic.twitter.com/2rKkNpIThl
— The Rally (@TheRally) September 1, 2022
Now as the deal is finalized, with ‘Spida’ Mitchell joining the Cavs, the Knicks feel they were not given a fair shot to trade for the guard.
The Knicks feel like they weren?t given a fair chance to land Donovan Mitchell
In recent seasons, the Knicks and their supporters have witnessed multiple off-season acquisition attempts for a superstar player fall apart. In fact, with some whispers leaking from the Knicks dugout, the Donovan Mitchell scenario does not seem to be much different.
WATCH THIS STORY: Trades that shook the NBA?
As it turns out, the Knicks reportedly believe that the trade packages they offered for Spida were better compared to the package offered by the Cavaliers. With RJ Barrett as the centerpiece, paired with hefty draft compensation, they believe the Jazz did not give them a fair shot in the trade talks.
Some members of Knicks felt their offer for Donovan Mitchell was better than Cleveland?s and they weren?t given fair chance to land Spida: https://t.co/ltyohOh5fw
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 5, 2022
Meanwhile, it’s noteworthy that the Knicks feel that way. The Cleveland Cavaliers, on the other hand, really could not care less. The franchise now is set to deploy one of the most formidable lineups in the league.
When the All-Stars align. ? pic.twitter.com/GcoEqZfPQQ
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) September 3, 2022
They would hope to establish their foothold early in the upcoming season and challenge for the NBA crown.
Fans react to the Knicks feeling like they got the shorter end of the stick
After months of the Knicks-Donovan Mitchell trade rumors, all went down the drain. Therefore, the Knicks feel that they didn’t get a fair shot from the Jazz. Subsequently, fans flooded social media with their thoughts and opinions. Here are some of the best reactions.
Knicks offer was better but it sounds like the Jazz didn?t want to work with them https://t.co/hYdJisPrMQ
— Will Eudy (@WillCEudy) September 5, 2022
Mate they offered RJ and two firsts in no way is that better than Cleveland?s package ?
— shitposting fc (@Dickronto) September 5, 2022
They were in trade talks since like the beginning of July. What do they mean ?not given a fair chance.? https://t.co/bewtnNB7Jo
— Jay (@jpat_e) September 5, 2022
Fair chance?. Bro they had like 2 months of private conversations. They fumbled the bag
— Litty?ell6? COMMANDERS SZN (@6_rasean) September 5, 2022
I love the picks and young core pic.twitter.com/tfLkpfYyRm
— Jazzshowyo (@JAZZSHOWY0) September 5, 2022
The Cavs had the better offer. We had an additional first and Ochai and Lauri
— Adi (@ChubbXHunt) September 5, 2022
Sexton better than anyone on the Knicks
— Cam (@RonnieBobonny) September 5, 2022
https://twitter.com/CLETommy/status/1566814536501530624?s=20&t=RSu__azduu9-U-Qy51652A
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https://twitter.com/GoatedBrunson/status/1566842424844066818?s=20&t=RSu__azduu9-U-Qy51652A
It was Utah just shot themselves in the foot
— ??????? (@SheLuvShoota) September 5, 2022
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What is your opinion on the whole fiasco? Let us know in the comments.