Revealed—Here's Why Knicks, Jazz Donovan Mitchell Talks Have Hit A Wall

The New York Knicks "are motivated" to land Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz, and according to Shams Charania, have made new offers to Jazz CEO Danny Ainge.

But Marc Berman has reported in the New York Post that the reason the two teams haven't been able to get any traction on a trade, is the fact that most of the first-round picks the Knicks are offering to send to Utah are protected. 

"A source told The Post that Ainge is after four unprotected first-round picks," writes Berman, while the Knicks have been offering two unprotecteds and three protected for a total of five. 

But that leaves New York two unprotected picks short of the Ainge's demands.

The Knicks are motivated to acquire Donovan Mitchell.

But the Jazz’s asking price has been more significant than their recent offer, @ShamsCharania and @Tjonesonthenba write.

More intel on the situation: https://t.co/LicRXumibB pic.twitter.com/ZRf9DCq1IK

— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) August 22, 2022

As for the players that the Jazz want in return, Berman reports that Ainge doesn't have any strong preferences, except that he is high on Quentin Grimes. 

Charania reports that New York made a recent offer of Evan Fournier, Obi Toppin, and the picks, as described above. But it wasn't anywhere near as significant as the Jazz's asking price. 

It appears that the Knicks are going to have to do some searching around the league to find a couple of more unprotected first-round picks if a deal is to get done, as things currently stand.

 Photos: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports, Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports