Yesterday, the insider of HoopsHype Michael Scotto said the Jazz, Knicks and Lakers had discussed a three-team trade including Donovan Mitchell and Russell Westbrook. On paper, this idea seems good because the Mormons might recover a good slew of rounds from Drafts. In fact, however, it would seem that Danny Ainge – general manager of the Jazz – can play the card of delay. History to make spit a little more to big teams in trouble this winter?
Donovan Mitchell is not just anyone. We speak without any ambiguity of one of the very best players in the league. And one of the best players in the NBA, that doesn’t transfer on a whim. Having started a reconstruction project with the sending of Rudy Gobert to Minnesota, the Jazz wishes to continue the project by transferring Dodo once morest a maximum of interesting Draft choices. It’s consistent, but don’t cut corners, my dear Jamy. In the HoopsHype podcast, Tony Jones – journalist covering Utah for The Athletic – indicated in the podcast of HoopsHype that Danny Ainge was not closed to the idea of embarking the Miche for the first part of the season. Incoherent, however. Well…yes and no actually. No doubt that with the assurance of starting a season without any major members of the old era of the franchise, things will have the merit of being clear in Salt Lake City. However, we must not forget what the team is looking for: guarantees of success for the future.
“I don’t think both sides [Knicks et Jazz, NDLR] be close. I don’t think they were close. We’ll see what happens when training camps roll around. The Jazz want what they want, that is to say draft picks, and young players on short or rookie contracts. By definition, that means Toppin, Grimes and Quickley… The Knicks don’t want to let go of Derrick Rose. He has long been a favorite of Tom Thibodeau. I know the Knicks want to keep him and Grimes. These guys are the priorities.
The meaning that I take in there is that it will not happen in the immediate future. The two sides are not close. For me, if it has to happen, it will be more towards training camps or the start of the season. If this does not happen, then we will have to look at the February trade deadline. »
– Tony Jones
This is where the timing strategy comes in. As Jones explains, the Knicks – who are the main interested parties and above all the most serious candidates when it comes to matching – still have a block on letting players like Quentin Grimes, Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley slip away. Until then, it makes sense because these three guys potentially have a lot to play for in the future of basketball on the Bockers side. Are you beginning to understand where we are coming from? Perhaps with a slightly less solid team that does not ensure its start to the season, New York will have less difficulty in letting go more to recover a player who can immediately bring results in winter. By paying the price. For Ainge, this is also the guarantee of being able to mobilize other teams – with therefore possibly interesting offers – in the race for Spida. An option that would allow competition to play. The market, we tell you.
Unlike football, playing the watch is allowed when discussing the transfer of an NBA star like Donovan Mitchell. At the time, it’s hard not to agree with Danny Ainge who obviously wants to take the time to study all the scenarios. Be careful not to burn your cards…
Source : HoopsHype
