Donovan Mitchell could have had Jalen Brunson as a Teammate, What an Idiot! Fire his Agent/Advisors!!!

[Scalabrine]

Some considered him much more.

Ainge most certainly wouldn't have settled for a "role player at best" just to get Mitchell off his chest. The Cavs offered Love and Ainge refused.

What RJ would become in Utah...? Yeah, we don't know either what the rest of the league would become in Utah. Maybe better just stick to the facts we have in our disposal, ok.

From what was being reported at the time, it was the 3rd unprotected FRP that we were refusing to give up, which swung things in favor of the Cavs once they got involved...not the prospects coming along with those picks. I'm sure Ainge hoped that Lauri & Sexton would both be allstars for the Jazz, but he wasn't banking on that to justify the trade.

All depends which rumors you believe, and it was problematic that the eligibility of various players to even be included in the deal was shifting as the Knicks got tired of waiting on Ainge and extended Mitchell and Barrett.

In the end, it's the total package and however it was Ainge valued the pieces and/or thought he could get for them in a follow on trade.

For instance, maybe Ainge equated the Knicks including Grimes to be about as valuable as the Cavs including Agbaji. If the Knicks refused to include him, how do they make up the value? Certainly not by eliminating a protected pick from their offer.

Was Barrett worth more than Markkanen? Clearly some thought so, but at upwards of $30M/year there's no guarantee that Ainge thought so.

I agree with you completely. RJ's extension is for 26.5m per year though.

[JonFromVA]

From what was being reported at the time, it was the 3rd unprotected FRP that we were refusing to give up, which swung things in favor of the Cavs once they got involved...not the prospects coming along with those picks. I'm sure Ainge hoped that Lauri & Sexton would both be allstars for the Jazz, but he wasn't banking on that to justify the trade.

All depends which rumors you believe, and it was problematic that the eligibility of various players to even be included in the deal was shifting as the Knicks got tired of waiting on Ainge and extended Mitchell and Barrett.

In the end, it's the total package and however it was Ainge valued the pieces and/or thought he could get for them in a follow on trade.

For instance, maybe Ainge equated the Knicks including Grimes to be about as valuable as the Cavs including Agbaji. If the Knicks refused to include him, how do they make up the value? Certainly not by eliminating a protected pick from their offer.

Was Barrett worth more than Markkanen? Clearly some thought so, but at upwards of $30M/year there's no guarantee that Ainge thought so.

I agree with you completely. RJ's extension is for 26.5m per year though.

There are incentives in the contract that could bump it higher; albeit if he's achieving them he's likely an asset and not a liability.

[hippesthippo]

Stop making up bull nicknames and use player's names.

If a player isn't a multi time all-star they don't get a nickname at the very least my God.

That's not how nicknames work.

Yup, you can always try to wish them into existence with a GB post.

[JonFromVA]

From what was being reported at the time, it was the 3rd unprotected FRP that we were refusing to give up, which swung things in favor of the Cavs once they got involved...not the prospects coming along with those picks. I'm sure Ainge hoped that Lauri & Sexton would both be allstars for the Jazz, but he wasn't banking on that to justify the trade.

All depends which rumors you believe, and it was problematic that the eligibility of various players to even be included in the deal was shifting as the Knicks got tired of waiting on Ainge and extended Mitchell and Barrett.

In the end, it's the total package and however it was Ainge valued the pieces and/or thought he could get for them in a follow on trade.

For instance, maybe Ainge equated the Knicks including Grimes to be about as valuable as the Cavs including Agbaji. If the Knicks refused to include him, how do they make up the value? Certainly not by eliminating a protected pick from their offer.

Was Barrett worth more than Markkanen? Clearly some thought so, but at upwards of $30M/year there's no guarantee that Ainge thought so.

That's certainly true and we can't know for sure, but our FO's resistance to include a 3rd unprotected pick was a pretty consistently reported detail by most sources, as was Utah's insistence on receiving a 3rd unprotected pick. And the final package did include three unprotected FRPs, so I do tend to buy that part of the reporting.

But you're right, we don't know that for sure and likely never will.

Yes, it sure seems Ainge wanted those 3 unprotected picks and swaps, but to equate the deals you have to be able to value (or devalue) the other pieces too and that's where things get fuzzy.

Anyway, kudos to Donovan Mitchell for not issuing an ultimatum like the op suggested he was an idiot for not doing ...

[Capn'O]

Stop making up bull nicknames and use player's names.

If a player isn't a multi time all-star they don't get a nickname at the very least my God.

That's not how nicknames work.

Clearly not familiar with the Kurucodile...

[Capn'O]

Grimes upside is in the mold of a Desmond Bane type of player. Prototypical shooting guard with good defense. Mitchell is an elite combo. Even if he reaches his upside it's apples and oranges, but the 3-D guy is very easy to work into a winning scheme if you have the right horses around him.

[Scalabrine]

All depends which rumors you believe, and it was problematic that the eligibility of various players to even be included in the deal was shifting as the Knicks got tired of waiting on Ainge and extended Mitchell and Barrett.

In the end, it's the total package and however it was Ainge valued the pieces and/or thought he could get for them in a follow on trade.

For instance, maybe Ainge equated the Knicks including Grimes to be about as valuable as the Cavs including Agbaji. If the Knicks refused to include him, how do they make up the value? Certainly not by eliminating a protected pick from their offer.

Was Barrett worth more than Markkanen? Clearly some thought so, but at upwards of $30M/year there's no guarantee that Ainge thought so.

That's certainly true and we can't know for sure, but our FO's resistance to include a 3rd unprotected pick was a pretty consistently reported detail by most sources, as was Utah's insistence on receiving a 3rd unprotected pick. And the final package did include three unprotected FRPs, so I do tend to buy that part of the reporting.

But you're right, we don't know that for sure and likely never will.

Yes, it sure seems Ainge wanted those 3 unprotected picks and swaps, but to equate the deals you have to be able to value (or devalue) the other pieces too and that's where things get fuzzy.

Anyway, kudos to Donovan Mitchell for not issuing an ultimatum like the op suggested he was an idiot for not doing ...

Agreed, happy that didn't happen. Mainly as an NBA fan but also as a Knick fan. I don't think we'd have seen Brunson become an All-NBA level player if he was playing next to Mitchell, and we'd be at our ceiling without having many other places to go and without Quickley, RJ, Grimes, and Toppin + at least 3 future picks. I don't even think we'd be much better honestly.

[FranchisePlayer]

I think youre clouded on what Lauri is now. We don't know what RJ would become had he been in Utah this year. Lauri wasn't considered more than a role player at best.

Some considered him much more.

Ainge most certainly wouldn't have settled for a "role player at best" just to get Mitchell off his chest. The Cavs offered Love and Ainge refused.

What RJ would become in Utah...? Yeah, we don't know either what the rest of the league would become in Utah. Maybe better just stick to the facts we have in our disposal, ok.

From what was being reported at the time, it was the 3rd unprotected FRP that we were refusing to give up, which swung things in favor of the Cavs once they got involved...not the prospects coming along with those picks. I'm sure Ainge hoped that Lauri & Sexton would both be allstars for the Jazz, but he wasn't banking on that to justify the trade.

We can speculate what Ainge was thinking once a week and twice on Sunday.

I'll add though that the timing of the trade, sure it must have been in the works for weeks, but Ainge did finalize it after Markkanen had played lights out a few games at the EuroBasket. Would he have pulled the trigger had Markkanen played like say Avdija or Gobert, average? (rhetorical question)

[JonFromVA]

Some considered him much more.

Ainge most certainly wouldn't have settled for a "role player at best" just to get Mitchell off his chest. The Cavs offered Love and Ainge refused.

What RJ would become in Utah...? Yeah, we don't know either what the rest of the league would become in Utah. Maybe better just stick to the facts we have in our disposal, ok.

From what was being reported at the time, it was the 3rd unprotected FRP that we were refusing to give up, which swung things in favor of the Cavs once they got involved...not the prospects coming along with those picks. I'm sure Ainge hoped that Lauri & Sexton would both be allstars for the Jazz, but he wasn't banking on that to justify the trade.

We can speculate what Ainge was thinking once a week and twice on Sunday.

I'll add though that the timing of the trade, sure it must have been in the works for weeks, but Ainge did finalize it after Markkanen had played lights out a few games at the EuroBasket. Would he have pulled the trigger had Markkanen played like say Avdija or Gobert, average? (rhetorical question)

Lauri's value is easier to guess given he had just been traded the year before for a pick and a guy, was on a good contract, had a good season as a starter, could shoot, and was looking good in the Summer.

Even if he didn't bust out for the Jazz, they likely could have traded him for a couple of protected first round picks. Sexton's value was more dependent on how he bounced back from injury and played, and Agbaji literally was the 15th pick.

[TimberKat]

I still have no idea what this thread is about.

Jealousy.

I think it's to prove the center of the universe is at Madison Square Garden.

[Ph@t Joe]

I think the Knicks are good without Mitchell

Read on Twitter

[baldur]

Who is jalen damnson?

[watch1958]

Jalen "Damn" Son just dropped 48 Points on the Cavs!

Why didn't Donovan Mitchell work the back channels and let Danny Ainge know that if he got traded that he only wanted to play for the New York Knicks?

He really dropped the ball here. He played Mr. Nice guy and let Trader Danny know it didn't matter where he got traded. His Agent and Advisors really selfishly hurt his Career!

And Think about all the Extra Money Donovan would have made in Endorsements because he's in the World's Biggest Market

Imagine a Jalen "Damn" Son & Donovan Mitchell backcourt?!?!

Who?

[sjballer03]

I read this entire thread and I still don't know who Jalen Damn Son is. Maybe it was mentioned somewhere, but my brain atrophied by the time I got to the last page.

[Former Nets Fan]

I Deserve an Apology!!!!



Jalen Damn$on cooked Spida 2day!!!

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[sjballer03]

Who is jalen damnson?

I just realized that it's Jalen Brunson. Not sure why it took me so long lol

[baldur]

Who is jalen damnson?

I just realized that it's Jalen Brunson. Not sure why it took me so long lol

You aren't alone my friend, it took me a while too. Haha.

[Nate505]

I read this entire thread and I still don't know who Jalen Damn Son is.

With a nickname that great, I'm stunned you didn't get it immediately.

[F N 11]

Welp.. Brunson answers his call. Would of been great teammates. Both clutch in playoffs.

[Former Nets Fan]

Holy $hit!!!

Donovan Mitchell was pissed last Nite!!!!

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