6 best moves the Cavaliers made during Koby Altman era

No. 3: Trading for Donovan Mitchell

Trading for a star player is always a risky decision. Sometimes everything works out perfectly, and that star leads a team to a title; think of Kawhi Leonard in 2019, or the Boston Celtics adding both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in 2008. Other times it’s an absolute disaster, such as the Brooklyn Nets’ acquisition of Garnett and Paul Pierce, the Los Angeles Lakers adding Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, the Minnesota Timberwolves this year adding Rudy Gobert…it’s a long list.

We don’t know for sure what the Cavaliers will accomplish after their blockbuster trade, but already it looks like a major success for both sides. Last year the Cavs traded five first-round picks (three picks, two swaps), rookie Ochai Agbaji, Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton to the Utah Jazz for Donovan Mitchell.

Mitchell has been nothing short of amazing in Cleveland, averaging a career-best 28.3 points as the best player on a 51-win team. He and Darius Garland paired together beautifully as a dynamic backcourt duo. Mitchell’s 38.6 percent from deep tied for his career-best, and his 245 3-pointers set both a franchise record and a personal record.

The individual moments were incredible too, from his 71-point explosion to start the New Year to his dynamic playoff debut. Mitchell finished sixth in MVP voting and will make his first All-NBA team this season. The year didn’t end the way that Mitchell and the Cavaliers hoped, but he will be back next season and appears to have raised the Cavs’ ceiling. It was an expensive trade, but so far it looks well worth it.