Legendary college basketball coach Rick Pitino revealed details Thursday of a conversation he had with the New York Knicks' front office about Donovan Mitchell prior to the 2017 NBA draft.

Stephen A. Smith: Knicks 'don't have draft capital' to trade for Giannis originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. It was just one summer ago that the New York Knicks traded five first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Mikal Bridges.

Quickley and Barrett are both former Knicks draft picks who were traded to Toronto in the deal that saw OG Anunoby transition to New York. Barrett did not play Sunday night due to injury, but Quickley had a nice showing, with 19 points and eight assists in 35 minutes.

Appearing on Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart’s “Roomates Show” podcast, Rick Pitino said he urged the Knicks in 2017 to draft Donovan Mitchell.

Rick Pitino reveals that he encouraged the Knicks to draft Donovan Mitchell in 2017 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. In 2017, the New York Knicks had the chance to draft the next face of their franchise.