Knicks' Rose 'thrilled' with offseason despite missing out on Mitchell
New York Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose is feeling pretty good about his club's offseason despite missing out on the Donovan Mitchell sweepstakes.
"We went through that process (of trying to trade for Mitchell), and at the end of the day, we made a decision to stay put," Rose said on MSG Network, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. "And we're thrilled with where we are. Taking a look at the summer, we feel great about what transpired."
New York had been linked to Mitchell throughout the offseason, and the All-Star guard was under the impression that he'd end up back home in The Big Apple.
The Utah Jazz reportedly declined a package from the Knicks that included RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, Obi Toppin, and three unprotected first-round picks.
Instead, the Jazz dealt Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a blockbuster deal headlined by Collin Sexton and Lauri Markkanen. Meanwhile, New York inked Barrett to a four-year, $120-million contract extension.
A few months earlier, the Knicks penned Jalen Brunson to a four-year, $104-million deal to open free agency and re-signed Robinson on a four-year contract worth $60 million.
"One of our main goals has been to create internal stability. Signed RJ Barrett. First extension of a player since Charlie Ward," Rose said. "We retained Mitchell Robinson. He's a player who has developed the last few years, and we feel very fortunate that we were able to keep him.
"We got the No. 1 point guard in free agency this summer in Jalen Brunson. So we feel really good about the summer."