Stephen A.: Ainge Said He’d Trade Donovan Mitchell to Knicks ‘When Hell Freezes Over’

The New York Knicks were seemingly the favorite to land Donovan Mitchell this offseason, but Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge reportedly had no interest in making a deal, as ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith explained:

Knicks executive vice president William Wesley, forward Julius Randle and assistant general manager Allan Houston were all in attendance for Game 1 of the first-round playoff series between the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz in April. The Knicks signed former Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson in free agency this offseason and were clearly targeting former Jazz guard Mitchell.

Utah instead sent Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for three players, three first-round picks and two pick swaps.

The Knicks sent the Jazz serious offers early in the offseason, with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reporting there was a package that included RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, Obi Toppin and three unrestricted first-round picks. Utah turned that offer down.

Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes were also discussed in trade talks, although the Knicks didn’t want to deal Grimes.

Even Mitchell thought he was “going back home” to New York:

Regardless of the reasoning, Ainge decided to make the deal with the Cavaliers instead of the Knicks.

Utah now has a long road to rebuild after also trading away Rudy Gobert this offseason.

The Knicks will hope the addition of Brunson is enough to improve upon last year’s 37-45 record.