NBA insider brings up poison pill provision as RJ Barrett finalises a contract extension with the New York Knicks

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2 years ago

Donovan Mitchell (NBA)

RJ Berret is in news with the term, poison pill as the process is now difficult for the Knicks to trade for Donovan Mitchell.

R.J. Barrett’s four-year contract extension with the New York Knicks was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Monday night. He remarked that the agreement essentially puts an end to weeks of New York Knicks and Utah Jazz trade speculation on Donovan Mitchell.

Woj tweeted, “New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett is finalizing a four-year rookie extension that could be worth up to $120 million, his agent Bill Duffy of @BDA_Sports + @WME_Sports told ESPN, complicating the franchise’s offseason trade pursuit of Utah Jazz All-Star Donovan Mitchell.”

Even if it’s not impossible, it becomes less likely that the Knicks and Jazz will reach an agreement before the start of the 2022–2023 NBA season because of the poison pill restriction, which won’t be abolished until July 1, 2023.

What is the poison pill provision in NBA?

The phrase “poison pill” is referred to informally as a term that has an impact on players who have recently signed rookie contract extensions.

A circumstance in which a team extends a player’s rookie scale deal but tries to trade that player before the extension kicks in is known as a “poison pill” in the terminology of NBA contracts.

Since there is a significant pay differential between the first year of a contract extension and the final year of a rookie deal, the issue is complicated in NBA and affects many trade offers.

According to Woj, till today, 179 players have ever had the poison pill limitation in the NBA. The only player traded was Devin Harris in 2008.

Will Knicks acquire Donovan Mitchell?

The New York Knicks’ efforts to sign Utah Jazz sensation Donovan Mitchell have been hampered by the extension of RJ Barrett’s contract. Barrett’s new agreement’s “poison pill provision” basically removed him from consideration.

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – MAY 31: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies during Game Four of the Western Conference first round series on May 31, 2021 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

The Knicks still have the opportunity to acquire Donovan Mitchell. The Knicks have been in the lead to signing the three-time NBA All-Star. They are in a strong position to land Mitchell thanks to their eight transferable first-round picks.