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Donovan Mitchell: I was very close to being a New York Knick (1:34)

He talks about how he almost became a Knicks player. There is a time and a place for it.

5:57 PM ET

The Utah Jazz core didn't really believe in each other according to Danny Ainge.

Mitchell said he didn't think we didn't believe in each other on his first day in Cleveland. I told Rudy Gobert not to be traded at the end of the year. Let's figure this out That did not occur. I don't agree with him saying that after six months. At the end of the day, he has the final say.

Ainge, who was hired last December, traded Gobert to the Timberwolves in a draft-pick centered blockbuster in July and also dealt O' Neale in a separate trade before moving Mitchell to the Cavs.

Mitchell was surprised when he was sent to Cleveland instead of his hometown New York Knicks. Mitchell believed he was close to being a Knick when the deal went down.

Mitchell said that he knows a little more than most, but that he is very close. We were close to the Knicks, but I was really excited when I got traded.

After the Jazz and Knicks couldn't agree on a trade, the Jazz were re-engaged by the Cavs. Altman and Zanik have completed five trades over the last five seasons. There were two pick swaps and three young players for Mitchell.

There is a great relationship between Utah and us. We just kept hanging around and hanging around. We were present when they decided to leave the Knicks.

Mitchell arrived at Burke Lakefront Airport early in the morning. A group of more than 200 fans were waiting at a hangar for the team to arrive. He participated in his first unofficial workout with his teammates in town. Mitchell was able to spend time on the floor with his teammates, as well as the runner-up of theRookie of the year.

Mitchell has been working out with Garland this summer. I'm excited to be a part of this team, I'm excited to play for this city, I'm excited to compete and win.