While there were some indications on Monday night a trade between the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz for All-Star Donovan Mitchell could be dead, there are several reasons why a deal is still quite possible even with RJ Barrett no longer being available in a prospective swap.

The Knicks made headlines yesterday when ESPN first reported that the organization and representatives for Barrett were close to finalizing a long-term extension that could be worth as much as $120 million. Making the team’s rising star the youngest player in Knicks history to land a nine-figure extension.

With Barrett now being locked into a very expensive long-term deal, the assumption is that Jazz would have no interest in taking on that contract in a possible deal for Mitchell. And if a talented player with a lot of upside like the 22-year-old is no longer a part of trade discussions, it could severely hamper the value the Knicks can offer in a trade return.

While Barrett is a great trade chip to have, there is a lot of evidence that show’s his exclusion from a trade is not at all a deal breaker. Let’s take a look at why the Knicks and Jazz are still strong trade partners in a Mitchell deal even without Barrett.

RJ Barrett’s importance in a deal is overstated

Logically, the Jazz should want Barrett in any potential trade for Mitchell. Since he is arguably the Knicks’ best player right now, has perennial All-Star potential, and is only in his early 20s. However, there have been contrasting reports on the Jazz’s interest in him for the last month. As talks have played out between the two teams there have been rumblings that the Jazz doesn’t need Barrett in a deal for one very specific reason. That being the fact he was set to become a free agent after this season.

For the Knicks, signing the player they drafted with their top pick in 2019 makes sense. They have seen his progression and it is a worthwhile risk because they are heavily invested in his potential. However, there is no guarantee he will become a yearly All-Star. Accepting him in a trade would be just as risky for the Jazz as it is for the Knicks in giving him a $120 million contract. If he doesn’t continue to develop, the Jazz could pay an extension to a player not deserving of a nine-figure deal, or they let him walk and immediately make the trade for Mitchell that much less of a winning decision.

RJ Barrett stats (2021): 20.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, .342 3PT%

While getting Barrett would be a good return for the Jazz, his impending free agency added the type of risk the organization would rather avoid this early in a long-term rebuild.