Report: Utah Jazz seeking four unprotected picks in Donovan Mitchell trade

On the heels of a report from The Athletic regarding a recent Knicks trade proposal for Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, Marc Berman of the New York Post reports that Utah is seeking four unprotected picks.

The Knicks’ offer included Evan Fournier, Obi Toppin, five first-round picks and “additional salary.” In that proposal, two of the five first-round picks the Knicks offered were unprotected.

All the extra first-rounders the team has acquired from other clubs have some form of protection on them, so the Jazz are apparently seeking four of New York’s own future picks.

That would be a tough pill for New York to swallow since it would be difficult to make another significant trade and become a championship contender. The stalemate in the trade discussions is centered around the unprotected picks, rather than the mix of players, according to Berman.

New York is willing to deal Toppin in part because small ball lineups with Toppin and Julius Randle are unappealing to the organization.

We have more from the Eastern Conference:

• Though Kevin Durant hasn’t backed down from his trade demand, the Nets have not yet lowered their asking price, Marc Stein reports in a Substack post. The organization believes there’s still time for Durant to soften his stance and remain with the franchise. They also want to see if Durant will report to training camp on time or if he’ll try to make things more uncomfortable and force the organization’s hand.
• Udonis Haslem has decided to continue his playing career because he’s a “bearer of Heat culture,” Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press tweets. Haslem said in part, “I’m sacrificing for the next generation. You know, I’m the bearer of Heat culture, I take it serious. It’s not a game. It’s not a joke. … I’ve watched the culture save so many, like it saved me.”
• Longtime NBA player and current ESPN broadcaster Jalen Rose feels the combination of Cade Cunningham and rookie Jaden Ivey will spark the Pistons’ revival, according to a video post from the Detroit News’ Mike Curtis. “I think we now have another All-Star backcourt. … I’m really excited about the potential of our team,” said Rose, a Michigan native.