Some NBA rumors just won’t die. Often, those are the rumors that are worth paying attention to. If the noise around a player’s availability just won’t quiet down, there’s an increased chance that the player is available. 

With that in mind, we’ve been hearing whispers about Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers for quite some time.

We’ve heard that he wouldn’t extend with the Cavs if given the opportunity. Moreover, we’ve heard that Mitchell has specific interests that Cleveland can’t satisfy. 

By all accounts, he wants to play in a bigger market. Meanwhile, it happens that Mitchell is from New York. Perhaps that’s why this rumor won’t die.

Here’s a deal that sends him to the Knicks. 

NBA Trade Proposal: New York Knicks Land Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell

Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, C Isaiah Hartenstein, G Immanuel Quickley, 2024 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2026 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2028 First-Round Pick (NYK) 

New York Knicks Receive: G Donovan Mitchell 

These rumors have persisted since before Mitchell joined the Cavaliers. He was the subject of trade rumors when he played for the Utah Jazz. In some respects, the Cavaliers’ decision to acquire him was puzzling.

Didn’t Mitchell want to play in a bigger market? Sure, Cleveland is a bigger market than Utah. That feels like a technicality. Salt Lake City is one of the smallest cities to host an NBA team.

Cleveland is a bigger market, but it’s not exactly one of the league’s most glamorous destinations, either. Perhaps the Cavs were gambling on pure talent. This team looked ready to take a step forward by acquiring a star.

This team should make the Knicks bonafide title contenders. If nothing else, it allows them to finally put a persistent rumor to rest.