Knicks still hopeful of trading for Jazz star Donovan Mitchell, despite RJ Barrett’s extension

The New York Knicks appear to still be hopeful that they can pull off a trade for Utah Jazz multi-time all-star Donovan Mitchell, even after the massive contract extension just given to RJ Barrett, according to reports. 

Monday night the Knicks signed their emerging star to a four-year extension worth up to $120million. 

The deal made Barrett not only the franchise’s first draft pick to agree to a multiyear contract extension after his rookie deal since Charlie Ward in 1999, but it, more importantly, essentially took him completely off the table in trade negotiations.

Even though it is not impossible, the NBA’s poison pill provision which applies to Barrett’s contract until July 1, 2023 complicates matters for any trade he would be included in.

For trade purposes, the poison pill is computed with a formula that would put the Knicks’ outgoing salary for a Barrett trade at $10.9million but require the incoming salary for a team acquiring him to be $26.2million.

Out of the 179 players in NBA history who have had the poison pill provision in their contract, the only one who was been traded was Devin Harris back in 2008.

Any trade that would send Barrett to Utah would more than likely need a third team to absorb the $37million contract of Evan Fournier.  

According to SNY’s Ian Begley, Utah coveted Barrett and Knicks president Leon Rose set a deadline of Monday night to either trade Barrett or extend his contract.

New York reportedly offered Barrett in several different packages in the last few days of negotiations but the sides could not come to an agreement on the number of unprotected first-round draft picks that would be included.

Jazz general manager Danny Ainge is interested in Barrett, but he has prioritized gaining four unprotected first-round picks for Mitchell, a three-time All-Star, according to the New York Post. 

But the Knicks are reportedly still optimistic they can get agree a trade with the Jazz that does not include Barrett.  

One thing that is working in the Knicks’ favor is that there appears to be no other serious suitors for Mitchell, regardless of Ainge trying to ramp up negotiations with other teams.

New York also has the most to offer Utah in terms of both draft capital and younger players so it remains not only ‘hopeful’, but also very plausible that the two sides eventually reach an agreement before training camps start in late September.

A potential  Knicks trade package could now be centered around promising young players like Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes, and Fournier’s contract, along with numerous first-round picks.

In the meantime, Knicks fans can sleep peacefully while they know in all likelihood they will get to see how great of a player Barrett can grow into under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden.

Seeing as though Barrett is one of only five players in NBA history to amass 3,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 200 3-pointers before his 22nd birthday, joining Kobe Bryant, Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant and LeBron James, it’s safe to say he’s on a great track.

If Barrett can continue down the path of reaching the level of any of those four names, New York’s lineup, already consisting of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, will be in a great place with or without Mitchell.

Mitchell has however gone to the lengths of removing the Utah Jazz from his social media bios in the aftermath of Barrett’s extension, perhaps signifying he is unhappy at the status of the trade talks.