Stephen A.: Ainge Said He'd Trade Donovan Mitchell to Knicks 'When Hell Freezes Over'

Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge did not want to make a deal with the New York Knicks in order to get Donovan Mitchell.

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"When the [Knicks brass] showed up for the playoff game with [Jalen] Brunson on one side and Donovan Mitchell on the other, I was told that Danny Ainge sat up there and said, 'when hell freezes over will I do a deal with them.'"

— @stephenasmithpic.twitter.com/vfhW9lZfyM

The first game of the first-round playoff series between the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz was attended by Knicks executives, including executive vice president William Wesley. The Knicks signed a former Mavericks guard in free agency, and were also targeting a former Jazz guard.

Utah swapped Mitchell for three players, three first-round picks and two pick swaps.

The Jazz received serious offers from the Knicks early in the summer, with a package that included Mitchell Robinson and three first-round picks. Utah denied the offer.

The Knicks didn't want to deal Grimes, but they did discuss him with other teams.

Mitchell thought he would return to New York.

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"I thought for sure I was going back home, I'm not gonna lie about that."@spidadmitchell on being hopeful that he was going home to play for the Knickspic.twitter.com/jKWmYFK7tB

The decision was made by Ainge to make the deal with the Cavs rather than the Knicks.

Utah traded away Rudy Gobert and now has a long road to rebuild.

The Knicks had a 37-45 record last year.