Donovan Mitchell disappointed New York Knicks didn’t trade for him: ‘Who doesn’t want to be home?’

Well, it seems that Knicks fans weren’t the only ones confused and disappointed by Mitchell not being traded to the Knicks. During his Cavaliers introductory press event, the 25-year-old star revealed that he too was a bit disappointed that he was not acquired by his home state team, after not being able to play in New York since he was a teenager.

“Who doesn’t want to be home, next to their mom? I haven’t lived at home since I was in the eighth grade and I went to boarding school, so it would have been nice.”

For weeks, it seemed like the Knicks were the best trade partner for a rebuilding Utah Jazz team. After coach Quinn Snyder resigned and the team traded fellow All-Star Rudy Gobert in June, the Jazz were clearly in a full remodel and in pursuit of young players and draft assets. New York had the best of that commodity in the league, yet they played hardball and were eventually beaten out by Cleveland. It seems those rumors also reached Mitchell, and he firmly believed being traded to the Knicks was not a matter of if, but when.

“Once Rudy got traded, I kind of saw the writing on the wall. I think we all did. I kind of had the feeling I was gonna get moved. Like I said, I thought it was New York.”

Mitchell on trade rumors this summer

Now Mitchell will be a part of a young and uber-talented core of players that will make the Cavaliers highly competitive now, and a possible title contender in the future.