A few notes on RJ Barrett’s extension with the Knicks and the club’s talks with the Utah Jazz about Donovan Mitchell:
RJ OFF THE TABLE IN TRADE TALKS
The Jazz had coveted Barrett in trade talks centered around Mitchell, as SNY reported. Some Knicks decision-makers were open to moving Barrett. But team president Leon Rose obviously decided against it.
With Barrett inked to a four-year extension worth as much as $120 million (including bonuses), the Knicks obviously have all but taken him off the table in trade talks.
Rookie scale extensions include a "poison pill" provision that make them difficult to include in a trade.
The provision is in place between the date the agreement is signed and the date that it begins. In Barrett’s case, the provision is in place until July 1, 2023.
It creates a wide gap between Barrett’s salary in a trade for the Knicks and the team receiving him in a deal, complicating salary matching in such a trade. So it’s highly unlikely that he is included in a deal between now and July 1, 2023.
Where do talks go from here? Earlier this month, people briefed on the talks were pessimistic about a deal getting done if it didn’t include Barrett. The Jazz had been seeking draft compensation that was seen as beyond the Knicks’ comfort level in packages that didn’t include Barrett. Even with Barrett in the deal, the Jazz would have wanted one player from the trio of Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes and Immanuel Quickley. You’d think that they’d want all three of those players in a package that didn’t include Barrett.
Still, it would be an exaggeration to say the Knicks’ pursuit of Mitchell is dead at this point.
With the Cavs pulling out of Mitchell talks, there doesn’t appear to be any suitors who can approach what the Knicks can offer – even if you take Barrett off the table.
Until another suitor emerges, the Mitchell trade is still the Knicks’ to lose.