Sources: Some Knicks decision-makers open to including RJ Barrett in trade for Donovan Mitchell

A few notes on the Knicks and Donovan Mitchell:

The Knicks are among several teams with interest in trading for Mitchell. The Cavs touched base with Utah about a Mitchell trade in recent days, per SNY sources. Cleveland’s level of interest in Mitchell is unknown but the Cavs have the young players and picks to put together a competitive package.

The Wizards and Hornets are among the other teams interested in Mitchell, as The Athletic reported.

From a Knick perspective: the club can offer the strongest package for Mitchell. Utah knows this and the Knicks know it. So this trade is essentially the Knicks’ trade to lose.

New York is among the teams who have been in touch with Utah recently.

The Jazz continue to have strong interest in Knicks’ wing RJ Barrett, per SNY sources. Evan Fournier’s name has also come up in discussions, sources say.

The Jazz are seeking at multiple first-round picks. Utah would want at least one of the trio of Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes and Immanuel Quickley in a trade if Barrett is included, per sources.

Where do the Knicks stand on including Barrett in the deal?

Last month, SNY reported that people in touch with the Knicks early in the free agency period were under the impression that the club had no interest in trading the former No. 3 pick.

That stance has shifted.

Some New York decision-makers are open to including Barrett in a trade for Mitchell, sources say.

It’s worth pointing out here that there are several voices of influence in the organization. So it makes sense that there would be different opinions among decision-makers in New York (For what it’s worth, here’s my opinion on NYK trading Barrett).

Team president Leon Rose obviously will make the ultimate call on the trade.

Regardless of how the negotiations play out, the Mitchell situation seems too good for New York to pass up on.

Some with the Knicks see the Mitchell acquisition as a strong pathway to another star (most likely via trade), as the New York Post noted. Adding another star to a core that includes Mitchell and Jalen Brunson would presumably make New York a solid contender.

If the Knicks don’t trade for Mitchell, what is the next opportunity to add a young All-Star to the roster? Will it be a better opportunity than the one in front of them?

Some with the organization believe the best approach is to wait until the season starts and then re-visit a Mitchell deal.

The thinking is that Utah’s leverage will decrease during the season.

But that approach also gives other teams – a team like the Cavs, whom
John Gambadaro of 98.7 FM Phoenix first mentioned as being interested in Mitchell – the chance to increase their offer and outbid New York.

So there’s a risk involved in waiting.

I don’t think the Knicks can afford taking that risk.

They’ve stock-piled first- and second-round picks and young players so they could be in trade conversations for disgruntled stars. They’ve been conservative in past offseasons and trade deadlines, waiting for the right opportunity.

The opportunity is right here.