By rejecting New York’s underwhelming offers, Utah secured Lauri Markkanen and a draft haul while inadvertently clearing the path for Jalen Brunson’s championship ascent in the Big Apple.
The Utah Jazz could have ended the Donovan Mitchell trade saga by accepting New York’s best offer.
They decided it wasn't good enough.
Four years later, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon believes the Knicks benefited from failing to complete that deal.
Utah may have, too.
“Sometimes the best deals you make are the ones that you don’t,” MacMahon said.
New York entered negotiations shortly after agreeing to sign Jalen Brunson. Mitchell would have arrived as the more established star, potentially preventing Brunson from assuming the offensive control that eventually transformed him into a Finals MVP.
That hypothetical partnership never materialized because the Jazz refused to compromise on their return.
Utah and New York discussed multiple packages during the summer of 2022. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that one proposed structure called for RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes and three first-round picks, including two unprotected selections.
The Knicks wouldn't include Grimes and offered Immanuel Quickley instead. Utah then sought three unprotected first-rounders, while New York wanted to place top-five protection on the third.
Neither side relented.
Cleveland eventually sent Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, unprotected first-round picks in 2025, 2027 and 2029, plus swap rights in 2026 and 2028.
That distinction remains important.
The Jazz didn't merely choose Cleveland’s collection of picks over New York’s. They acquired Markkanen, who immediately became an All-Star and the central player missing from the Knicks’ later proposals.
New York’s subsequent championship doesn't change Utah’s responsibility during those negotiations.
Brunson developed into the Knicks’ unquestioned leader before guiding them to a four-game sweep of Mitchell’s Cavaliers in the 2026 Eastern Conference finals. He then scored 45 points in the title-clinching victory over San Antonio and earned Finals MVP honors.
MacMahon questioned whether Brunson would have reached that level beside Mitchell.
Probably not.
Mitchell would have commanded a considerable share of the offense, while the draft capital required to acquire him could have altered every move New York made afterward.
That makes the failed trade fascinating for Knicks observers.
For the Jazz, the lesson is simpler.
Utah possessed a 25-year-old three-time All-Star and refused to let his preferred market dictate his value. Had the Jazz accepted less from New York, Brunson’s eventual development wouldn't have benefited them. They simply would have received a weaker return.
Instead ... Utah waited until Cleveland supplied Markkanen, three unprotected first-rounders and two opportunities to swap picks.
New York found its franchise player by keeping Brunson’s path clear.
Cleveland found one by acquiring Mitchell.
The Jazz found theirs because they refused to make either team’s preferred outcome more important than their own.
