The Utah Jazz and New York Knicks have been locked in trade talks all summer, with Donovan Mitchell being the centerpiece. The teams failed to make a deal earlier this summer, and it looks like both teams will be shopping around elsewhere.
Per reports on Tuesday night, the Jazz rejected yet another offer from the Knicks. New York offered RJ Barrett and two protected firsts for the three-time All-Star.
The Utah Jazz rejected a Knicks trade offer of RJ Barrett and 2 unprotected first-round picks for Donovan Mitchell, per @ShamsCharania
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 30, 2022
“That was not deemed close enough by the Utah Jazz” pic.twitter.com/DblZd6H3ra
Barret, the third overall draft pick in 2019, is coming off his first season averaging 20 points. At age 21, he is a fringe All-Star and definite star player, although Mitchell is a superstar and only four years Barrett’s senior.
Barrett is an athletic wing and perimeter defender who can score from anywhere, shooting 35% from deep over his short career. He recently signed a four-year, $120 million dollar extension, and it’s unclear if this offer was made before or after the extension was finalized.
The two picks were probably thrown in as consolation. The Jazz have expressed they want six picks for Mitchell, although even the most biased fans can admit that it is way too much. Three unprotected picks, adding up to four or five total, is more in the ballpark, although adding one of the league’s brightest young players could have sweetened the pot.
In five years, there is no doubt in my mind that Barrett will be a better player than Mitchell, so the Jazz rejecting this offer makes me think that Utah is fully embracing a tank for a high draft pick, and is heading towards a rebuild.
Jazz fans, what do you think? The clock is ticking and Mitchell might remain in Utah. For some of you, that’s a good thing, exactly what you were hoping for. For others, are the Jazz playing too many games? Should they have taken a deal?