Why Knicks shouldn't deal RJ Barrett in a Donovan Mitchell trade — though Jazz had interest

There’s been some conflicting reports on the Utah Jazz and RJ Barrett amid the Knicks’ pursuit of Donovan Mitchell. While some reports state that the Jazz have had no in interest in Barrett, I don’t believe that is the case.

Earlier this month – before reports emerged that Utah was willing to listen on Mitchell trade offers – the Jazz asked the Knicks about a package that included Mitchell Robinson, Barrett, other players, and at least three first-round picks.

Around that time, members of the Jazz were also making educated guesses/projections on what an extension for Barrett may look like, per sources.

(Barrett, of course, is eligible for an extension on his rookie contract at the moment. He can agree to the extension prior to the start of the regular season).

The idea that the Jazz were thinking about what a Barrett extension may look like isn’t surprising. Any team in Utah’s position would want to project an extension for him into any possible trade scenarios.

But the idea that the Jazz asked about a package including Barrett and tried to estimate what an extension would look like for the player tells you that Utah had a degree of interest in Barrett.

Around the same time, some with the Jazz ranked Barrett among the best potential players they could receive in a trade from New York.

So, as of earlier this month, the Jazz certainly had interest in Barrett as part of a trade return from the Knicks.

But if I’m the Knicks, I refuse to put Barrett in a deal for Mitchell. If you have a roster with Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, and the current Knicks but without Barrett (and, let’s say, one of Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes, Cam Reddish, or Immanuel Quickley), you are setting yourself up to fail.

That’s just my opinion.

Ideally for the Knicks, they have enough left on the roster to compete for a play-in spot after acquiring Mitchell.

If the Knicks trade for Mitchell, there will be external pressure to win. If Barrett is in Utah, their chances of winning games in 2022-23 decrease, in my opinion.

I know Knick fans’ opinions of Barrett vary, but even his harshest critic would admit that he’s improved over his first three seasons in the NBA.

I don’t know Barrett’s ceiling as a player. But those around him – including people with the Knicks – have little doubt that he will reach his potential. They cite his work ethic and his steady demeanor to support their opinions. Barrett is seemingly unbothered by the noise in New York.

Even taking those intangibles off the table, how would the Knicks replace a player of Barrett’s profile? They would have to trade for one or draft one. Either way, the cost to do so would be prohibitive.

Do the Knicks want to trade Barrett? I don’t think they do. SNY reported that people in touch with the Knicks in early July were under the impression that the club had no interest in trading the former No. 3 pick.

I assume that most with the Knicks would be dead set against including Barrett in a Mitchell trade. But there are several influential voices in the organization. Do they all share the same opinion on Barrett’s availability in a Mitchell trade? That’s a key question when you talk about Mitchell, the Jazz and Barrett – or any other young Knick who could be sent to the Jazz.

It’s also worth pointing out that the Knicks probably don’t need to include Barrett in a trade.

As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported earlier this month, there is a sliding scale of sorts here where New York could leave a player like Barrett out of a trade and instead include more draft capital.

If I’m the Knicks, I would include more first-round picks in the trade before I put Barrett in any conversation to give myself the best chance to be competitive in 2022-23 – and beyond.