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After discussions for Jazz All-Star Donovan Mitchell stalled in recent days, the Knicks are reportedly pivoting to signing guard RJ Barrett to a massive new deal.
New York is finalizing a four-year rookie extension with Barrett, 22, that could be worth up to $120 million, his agent Bill Duffy told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski Monday night. According to Wojnarowski, the move effectively ends weeks of talks between the Knicks and Jazz on a blockbuster deal to bring Mitchell, 25, back to his home state.
Wojnarowski reported Knicks president Leon Rose set Monday night as a deadline to either reach an agreement with Utah on a Mitchell trade or commit to Barrett with an extension. The two sides managed to close the gap on deal points in recent days, but the talks ultimately did not move forward.
While some Knicks fans may have a lot to say about the club ending its pursuit for Mitchell, shifting gears to locking Barrett down long-term signals the team remains focused on building a foundation for the future. The move also adds to an offseason that saw the Knicks solidify the point guard position with the addition of former Maverick Jalen Brunson and re-sign another cornerstone in center Mitchell Robinson.
Barrett, who was drafted third overall out of Duke in 2019, has made strides since entering the NBA as a highly touted prospect. After turning in a promising sophomore campaign, Barrett averaged a career-high 20 points to go with 5.8 rebounds and three assists in 70 starts during the 2021–22 season.
With Barrett’s spot in New York now seemingly set in stone, it remains to be seen where the Jazz might move Mitchell should the club plan to continue listening to offers. Prior to Monday, the latest news on the Mitchell trade front came Friday when SNY reported the Cavaliers had dropped out of talks.
