Charles Barkley Has Hilarious Intel On Why Knicks Didn't Land Mitchell

Charles Barkley can always be counted on to give his two cents on the various dramas playing out around the NBA, and to do it in the most entertaining of ways. The Donovan Mitchell trade is no exception. 

Sir Charles related an inside scoop to NBA Radio this weekend, explaining why the New York Knicks were unable to close the deal and land Spida from the Utah Jazz.

Charles Barkley gives us some inside info on why the Knicks didn't trade for Donovan Mitchell 👀 pic.twitter.com/tRW93t3IEM

— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) September 11, 2022

Speaking of a dinner he had with Knicks Executive VP William Wesley, and the ridiculously high price the Jazz were asking, Barkley related some "inside information" about his conversation:

"I said, 'Wes, why didn't y'all make the trade?', and he said 'We wanted the deal, obviously. (But) They wanted my wife, they wanted my kids, they wanted my grandkids! They were just trying to rip somebody off.' So he said 'Dude, we're going to have to pass on it.'"

Jazz CEO Danny Ainge, a former Boston Celtics player and executive, really tried to put the squeeze on the Knicks, is what Wesley was really talking about. And Barkley certainly understood where he was coming from.

"I give those guys credit, because, you can't give away everything!"

Ainge was said to be asking for at least four unprotected first-rounders from the Knicks, along with the likes of RJ Barrett and other young talented assets. The Knicks instead pivoted and signed Barrett to an extension. 

The Jazz went on to trade the 3-time All-Star Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers, in return for three unprotected first-round picks, two pick swaps, plus Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton and Ochai Agbaji. 

Photos: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports, Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports