NBA Rumors: Donovan Mitchell Could Be Heading To The Knicks

The Utah Jazz registered the best record in the NBA last season, but then bowed out in the Conference Semi-Finals to a Kawhi-less Los Angeles Clippers. That was preceded by four straight first-round playoff ousters. Rumors are picking up steam once again that another sub-par postseason performance will send superstar Donovan Mitchell on a beeline out of the Beehive State. 

The ‘incessant buzz around’ the league is that there are those in Donovan Mitchell’s circle who believe he is too big of a star for Salt Lake City, per @RicBucher

East Scout: “They’re a first-round exit from Donovan being in New York,” pic.twitter.com/sQ9kU50Vec

— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) January 27, 2022

"The incessant buzz around the league is that there are those in Mitchell’s circle who believe he is too big of a star for Salt Lake City," writes NBA insider Ric Bucher. And what's more, the New York Knicks are once again being mentioned as a serious destination for Spida.  

Some say it's only a matter of time before he joins former agent and current New York Knicks president Leon Rose. "They’re a first-round exit from Donovan being in New York,” an Eastern Conference scout said.

And then there's this: Not only is Mitchell from the NYC area, but it's also worth noting that Donovan Mitchell Sr. (yes, Spida's dad) has worked for the New York Mets as their senior director of player relations since 1999. 

Jazz part-owner Dwyane Wade has been worried about this eventuality since last offseason.

The Jazz picked up this season where they left off last regular season, going 28-9. But a 4-9 January (just 2-8 in their last 10) has them down to 4th in the conference, and questions are once again being asked. 

Bucher also notes that Mitchell wouldn't be the first Jazz first-round pick to achieve stardom and then bolt Salt Lake City, pointing to Deron Williams and Gordon Hayward.