Danny Ainge speaks about his new position as CEO of Utah Jazz Basketball on Dec. 15, 2021. Ainge traded Rudy Gobert to Minnesota earlier this offseason. Laura Seitz, Deseret Information
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, host of the morning present “First Take,” actually needs the Knicks to commerce for Donovan Mitchell.
However he’s additionally cautious of Jazz CEO Danny Ainge’s historical past of trades that find yourself wanting like larceny.
“We all know that we will’t belief Danny Ainge, and I imply that affectionately and complimentary to him, as a result of he’s an elite govt who has pulled off quite a few heists in his profession,” Smith stated on his present Monday.
Ainge earned the nickname “Dealer Danny” throughout his time as common supervisor of the Boston Celtics. A easy search turns up a number of articles rating his greatest trades as a Celtics govt. He introduced Kevin Garnett to Boston, forming a workforce that gained the NBA championship in 2008, and later despatched that workforce’s growing old stars to New Jersey to assist construct Boston’s present core of expertise.
Smith referenced the 2017 commerce with Philadelphia of the No. 1 and No. 3 picks, which gave the Celtics a further first-round choose. They drafted Jayson Tatum, whereas the 76ers took Markelle Fultz.
Ainge’s most up-to-date commerce of Rudy Gobert to the Timberwolves “simply tousled the market,” Smith stated.
“Donovan Mitchell is a star,” Smith stated Tuesday throughout his present. “I’m bored with folks speaking about him like he’s not. ... (He’s) any individual that the New York Knicks franchise desperately wants. Interval.”
The Athletic reported this week that the Knicks’ most up-to-date provide for Mitchell didn’t meet the Jazz’s expectations.
Smith is clear about two issues: His love for the Knicks, and his dissatisfaction for the group below proprietor James Dolan. He thinks the Knicks want a “star,” and he believes Utah’s Mitchell would deliver these qualities to New York.
“New York wants a star,” he stated beforehand on “First Take.” “We'd like a star. ... I’m speaking concerning the star (Carmelo Anthony) was purported to be, and to a lesser diploma he was.”
To make that occur, they’ll have to achieve a cope with Ainge, who Ryen Russillo of the Ringer says “wins virtually all” of his trades.