3 trades the Lakers can make around Donovan Mitchell with Knicks, Jazz
By Jason Reed
![SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 14: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz reacts to a play during the second half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 14, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 14: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz reacts to a play during the second half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 14, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/eef0d77930d11099edb5ae435f3c4fb7f0c628fec061abee1206588e5e66dc05.jpg)
3. Adding Mike Conely to the deal
Just like the New York Knicks might want to get rid of Julius Randle and Evan Fournier because of their contracts, the Jazz probably wants to get rid of Mike Conley as well. Conley serves no purpose to the Jazz and is past his prime. He is making just over $22 million this season and has one more year under contract.
Since the Jazz are the ones trading the superstar they are going to get the first choice of which contract they want to get rid of. New York is not going to not trade for Donovan Mitchell because they can’t get rid of Fournier’s contract. If Utah wants Conley gone, he will be gone.
And that is what makes a third team like the Lakers so important to this kind of trade. New York has no use nor space for Conley, so it makes sense that he would instead be redirected to another team that has the means to take him on.
Randle still comes to the Lakers in this trade as does Cam Reddish. Reddish has not really been all that special in his NBA career thus far and he certainly is disposable for the New York Knicks.
Why Reddish, then? We know that there is an existing interest there for the Lakers. Los Angeles was reportedly in talks this past season for Reddish in a three-team trade. That is fitting considering the nature of this being a three-team trade.
The starting five for Los Angeles could then be LeBron, Conley, Randle, Davis, Bryant with Patrick Beverley now coming off the bench as the sixth man.