The Cavaliers have “removed themselves” from the Donovan Mitchell trade talks with the Jazz, sources tell Ian Begley of SNY.tv.
Begley doesn’t provide any further details on the Cavs’ decision, but his update suggests that Cleveland wasn’t comfortable meeting Utah’s high asking price for Mitchell.
John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 identified the Cavaliers earlier this week as a team with interest in Mitchell, and Begley subsequently reported that Cleveland had “touched base” with Utah about the three-time All-Star guard.
Despite those reports, the Cavs always seemed like a long shot to acquire Mitchell, given that they were unlikely to part with Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen and had already traded away one of their future first-round picks.
The Wizards and Hornets are among the other teams that have been mentioned as Mitchell suitors. However, as Begley observes, the Knicks have looked throughout the process like the frontrunners for the 25-year-old, assuming he’s moved at all.
New York could offer RJ Barrett as a centerpiece or could build a package using a series of first-round picks. The Knicks have all their own future first-round selections and have acquired four extra protected first-rounders from other teams.
While the Knicks have the ability to make a strong offer for Mitchell, a Thursday report suggested the two teams aren’t close to a deal and stated that the Jazz are willing to hang onto their star guard rather than accept “90 cents on the dollar” for him.
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