Knicks Can't Give Up on Donovan Mitchell Pursuit Despite Latest Cavs, NBA Rumors

The New York Knicks have already secured a postseason spot and will spend the next few weeks gearing up for a playoff run.

Led by Jalen Brunson and December trade acquisition OG Anunoby, the Knicks have a formidable roster. However, they may consider shaking things up a bit if the playoffs end with another early exit.

If New York does end its postseason sooner than intended, it may have a chance to target a familiar name: Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.

The Knicks were in trade talks with the Utah Jazz regarding Mitchell before they were outbid by Cleveland. With just one year remaining on his contract, though, Mitchell is entering a pivotal offseason with the Cavaliers.

Mitchell will be eligible for a four-year extension in the $200 million range, and the Cavs appear confident that the 27-year-old will re-up.

"We think he will extend. I think if you listen to him talk, he loves the city," franchise owner Dan Gilbert said, per Larry Lage of the Associated Press.

However, Mitchell has been fairly non-committal publicly when asked about his contract situation.

"I mean obviously you have to ask the question, but my focus is I got a lot of things to focus on outside of that right now," Mitchell recently said, per Joe Vardon of The Athletic. "I've got to focus on myself, getting back for this group, focus on us getting over this stretch, continuing to be ready when it comes time."

Until/unless Mitchell actually puts pen to paper on a new deal with the Cavaliers, the Knicks would be wise not to abandon their interest in the five-time All-Star.

As The Athletic's Jovan Buha recently noted, the Knicks and Brooklyn Nets remain potential destinations for Mitchell, though signs to point to an extension in Cleveland.

"it seems like there's been a little bit more growing optimism and buzz that he's gonna stay in Cleveland," Buha said in a Q&A session (h/t Jesse Cinquini of Lakers Daily). "But even if he leaves, the two New York teams have reportedly been the favorites just because he's from the greater New York area."

Mitchell was born in Elmsford and played his high school ball in Connecticut and New Hampshire, so there is a bit of a regional connection. More importantly for the Knicks, though, he is a top-20 talent who could form an elite trio alongside Brunson and Anunoby.

While the Knicks may not be eager to make another massive splash after acquiring Anunoby, there's a chance that Mitchell's price point is significantly lower than it was when he was sent to Cleveland—a deal that cost the Cavs three first-round picks, two pick swaps, Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton and Ochai Agbaji.

Cleveland won't want to trade Mitchell on the cheap, of course, and may not be willing to trade him at all. However, with 2025 free agency looming—Mitchell has a player option for the 2025-26 season—the Cavaliers won't have a ton of leverage if Mitchell wants to play elsewhere.

They certainly cannot demand a top-of-the-market trade package with only one year of team control remaining on his contract.

A lot will likely hinge on how things unfold this postseason, for both franchises. Mitchell will probably be more open to change if the Cavaliers bow out early. The Knicks are far more likely to be aggressive in the offseason if they do the same.

If either franchise makes a run to the conference title round or the Finals, all of the trade talk could become moot. Yet, it's still too early for New York to turn the page on Mitchell completely, and the Knicks must continue to monitor as the playoffs—and the offseason—draw closer.