NBA Rumors: One Untouchable Player On Knicks

The New York Knicks would love to somehow swing a trade for Utah Jazz superstar Donovan Mitchell. But according to reports, they have "no interest" in trading R.J. Barrett, in that, or any other deal.

The New York Knicks have zero interest in trading RJ Barrett, per @IanBegley pic.twitter.com/jM8jkrn6Rj
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) July 13, 2022

Per Ian Begley of SNY, the Knicks have plenty of assets now to go after Mitchell if they want, such as eight trade-eligible first-round picks. But Barrett is off-limits.

The 22-year-old Duke product is coming off another career-year for the Knicks, becoming a 20-point-per-game scorer, along with 5.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists. They clearly see a star on the rise from their No. 3 overall pick in 2019.

Make no mistake, the Knicks have long held an extreme interest in landing Mitchell. He is a New York native and an established All-Star, averaging over 25 points and 5 assists the past three seasons, while shooting a career 36% from the three-point line. But they have expressed concern with trading a combination of young players and picks that would prevent them from being a contender, even with Donovan Mitchell.

But—and this is a big but—if they were able to somehow use that plethora of picks to land Spida while keeping Barrett...

If the Knicks get Donovan Mitchell without giving up RJ Barrett, they’d have four starters under 26 (Mitchell, Barrett, Brunson, Robinson) and a bunch of other young guys on the bench.

I don’t really care if that’s not a championship team yet. It’s really good and really young.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) July 13, 2022