Donovan Mitchell has appeared this year in Rangers playoff games and at Citi Field to take batting practice with the Mets.
Even before a potential deal with the Knicks materializes, the three-time NBA All-Star guard is already being honored this weekend with his first handout in New York.
Mitchell, a Westchester County product whose father, Donovan Sr., is the Mets’ senior director of player relations, will throw out the first pitch Saturday before the Brooklyn Cyclones’ game at Coney Island. The first 2,000 fans in attendance will also receive a Mitchell bobblehead, according to the Single-A affiliate.
Could a similar promotional giveaway by the Knicks be in his future? Earlier this week, it was revealed that the Jazz were listening to offers for Mitchell, 25, and The Athletic reported that the Knicks had emerged as a “focused destination.”
Donovan Mitchell scores 36 points to lead Jazz past Knicks in March at MSG.NBAE via Getty Images
The Knicks control 11 first-round picks over the next seven years, so perhaps they could avoid including RJ Barrett in any trade by attaching a few picks, with one or two prospects out of the group, including Quentin Grimes, Obie Taupin , Immanuel Quickley, Cam Reddish, Miles McBride and Jericho Sims.
Utah acquired four first-round draft picks, one traded pick and multiple players in the trade of All-Star center Rudy Gobert to the Timberwolves earlier this month.
Mitchell has performed well in most of his visits to the Garden during his five seasons with the Jazz, including a 36-point performance to lead Utah to a 108-93 victory in March. He played five games at the Garden during his NBA career, averaging 25.2 points and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the floor and 40.9 percent from 3-point range .
“It’s fun just seeing friends and family, being able to do that, but also knowing that we have work to do,” Mitchell said after the game in March. “I think that was our focus all day, understanding that if we can put ourselves in the right position for the playoffs, to keep the main thing the main thing, regardless of what’s around.”
Mitchell’s former coach at Louisville, Rick Pitino, who also coached the Knicks from 1987-89, praised Mitchell via Twitter on Thursday.
Anyone asking me to weigh in on the Donovan Mitchell trade rumors – all I can say is he’s all about winning and getting better. Great work ethic and is a 10 star on a 5 star scale. @spidadmitchell
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) July 14, 2022
“Everyone is asking me to weigh in on the Donovan Mitchell trade rumors – all I can say is he’s all about winning and getting better,” the current Iona coach tweeted. “Great work ethic and is a 10 star on a 5 star scale.”
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