The Cleveland Cavaliers won 18 of their final 20 games before the All-Star break to jump to second in the Eastern Conference. They are arguably the hottest team in the NBA and believe they can make a deep playoff run. The pressure is on as Cleveland’s superstar Donovan Mitchell has a franchise-altering decision to make this summer.
He just made his fifth All-Star appearance and should be in the MVP conversation. Mitchell is in his prime and wants to compete for a championship. He has one year plus a player option remaining on his contract after this summer. The Cavaliers will offer a max extension, but does Mitchell sign it? They cannot let him reach free agency, so Cleveland will have to explore his trade market if the star refuses to stay long-term.
The Cavaliers paid a massive haul to get Donovan Mitchell, and the 27-year-old has taken his game to new heights in Cleveland. Every team will be interested, but these ten have a shot to land him.
Unlikely but will show interest in Donovan Mitchell
Mitchell has some say in this deal. No team is going to pay a king’s ransom if he makes it clear that he will not sign a long-term deal with them. These teams would love to acquire him, but it is unlikely to happen.
10. Miami Heat
Pat Riley and the Heat are always chasing the next star, but their trade for Terry Rozier makes it unlikely to happen this summer. They would have three first-rounders to deal, but one would be their pick in 2024. Unless the Cavaliers value Tyler Herro, it will be selections in 2029 and 2031 plus their selection in the teens in June. Cleveland will be searching for more. Never count out the Heat, but this one is unlikely.
9. Orlando Magic
The Magic want a guard and have all of their own draft picks plus a 2025 first-rounder from Denver. They could make a blockbuster trade, but Mitchell is unlikely to re-sign in Orlando. Expect the Magic to show interest before talks fizzle.
8. Brooklyn Nets
Does Mitchell go to Brooklyn to be their superstar? He is from New York and would have some interest, but this is not the place if wants to compete for a championship. The Nets are 12 games under .500 at the All-Star and facing more turmoil. Mitchell’s desire to contend likely eliminates Brooklyn from the running.
Other teams will try everything possible to make the trade, but will ultimately not have enough.
Will try everything but likely not the right match for the Cavaliers
Two franchises are extremely eager to add a star this summer, but do they have enough to land Donovan Mitchell? Even if they find the right package, is the five-time All-Star the perfect fit for their franchise? These are questions both franchises should be asking.
7. Philadelphia 76ers
Daryl Morey is never afraid to call on a star player. Philadelphia has a ton of cap space and roster flexibility this summer. They want a third star to put next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Mitchell would certainly give them three All-NBA candidates, but the Sixers are likely a bit light on assets.
They could trade four first-round draft picks but would have no players to offer Cleveland. The Cavs have Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. They want to compete for a championship, and Philadelphia has no talent to offer in return.
6. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have two Brooklyn draft picks plus two of their own to offer in a blockbuster trade. Add in young talent and salary-filler to make Houston’s offer quite enticing. It is more Mitchell’s fit and desire to be Houston that would create questions here.
The Rockets are not title contenders and putting him next to Fred VanVleet gives Houston a small backcourt duo. Does Mitchell want to go to Houston and risk it being a worse situation than Cleveland? It seems unlikely.
The following five teams have legitimate shots at trading for Donovan Mitchell this summer.
5. New Orleans Pelicans are searching for the right pieces
Things could change significantly in the Big Easy if the Pelicans fail to make a playoff run. They have Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and C.J. McCollum, but have made the playoffs just once and have not won a postseason series. If they do not advance beyond the first round in 2024, the Pelicans will be searching for a star this summer.
The Pels have all of their own first-round draft picks plus three from other teams and two favorable swaps. Their roster has plenty of young talent too. New Orleans could get involved in any blockbuster, but cannot give up so much that they are unable to compete for a championship.
Would Donovan Mitchell want to play for the Pelicans? Ownership would have to show a willingness to spend, and the front office must put enough pieces around him. The injury histories for Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram could be problematic, but there is certainly intrigue to what the Pelicans are building.
The New Orleans Pelicans should be viewed as more of a wildcard than a legitimate threat to steal Donovan Mitchell at this stage. They have plenty to prove and some convincing to do. Mitchell is more likely to be attracted to a situation with legit stars and willingness to spend to contend.
4. Is Donovan Mitchell the star LeBron James wants on the Lakers?
The Lakers will be back on star watch this summer. LeBron tried to convince his franchise to upgrade their roster before the deadline, but LA kept their powder dry. They will have three first-round draft picks to trade this summer and some young talent.
Does Mitchell pull a Damian Lillard and demand a trade to a specific team? That may be the Lakers' only chance of getting in this sweepstakes. Several other teams have more draft capital to offer. LA would have to rely on Mitchell’s desire to join LeBron and Anthony Davis.
The only way this works is the Lakers throwing in Austin Reaves, Max Christie, and some salary-matching role players with their maximum draft capital. It is not the biggest haul for Cleveland, but could be the largest offer if others are not willing to step up for a one-year rental.
The Los Angeles Lakers will be serious bidders for any star that becomes available as long as they have LeBron James. He has a player option this summer and his departure could throw LA into a rebuild. They are certainly a team to watch as is any franchise with young talent and draft capital to trade.
3. Victor Wembanyama gets co-star guard on the Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs have been plagued by poor guard play and a lack of veterans this season. They have their star of the present and future in Victor Wembanyama. Now it is all about building a contending roster around the French prodigy. Can they find him a co-star and some veterans this summer?
The Spurs have more draft picks than they can fit on their roster and plenty of young talent. They can be in the running for any player, but San Antonio is attempting to thread the needle of giving Wemby time to develop before trying to compete for a championship. The 20-year-old won’t want to wait, so expect the Spurs to push some chips in this summer.
Wembanyama and Mitchell would be a near-perfect pairing. The five-time All-Star could get the young talent open looks and form a dynamic pick-and-roll duo. Wemby would clean up the backline and help hide Mitchell’s defensive struggles.
Donovan Mitchell may decide against San Antonio because they are not contending right now. Can the Spurs put the pieces around them on the fly? That is extremely difficult and dangerous. Mitchell may opt for a team near the top of the standings that he can push into the championship picture.
2. Donovan Mitchell gets his homecoming on the Knicks
The flirtation between Mitchell and the Knicks goes back years. They were one of the top suitors when the Jazz shipped him to Cleveland, but the same issues remain. Does the five-time All-Star return home this summer? The Knicks have the assets, but do they go all-in on Mitchell?
New York could trade all of their first-round draft picks plus four additional selections to get a star. They have been hesitant and focused on fit in the past. There is no reason to believe that has changed, which could take them out of the running.
The Knicks were hesitant in 2022 because they were unsure of his fit next to Jalen Brunson in the backcourt. Brunson has ascended into an All-Star in the Big Apple and is unquestionably their best player. The Knicks have zero reason to dump him, so they would have to believe in the fit to make this trade.
No matter how much Donovan Mitchell wants to play for the Knicks, they are not the most likely team to trade for him. There is one franchise that can make any move and looks like a contender for years to come. If they come knocking, Mitchell will have a difficult time turning down the chance to join what they are building in OKC.
1. The Thunder believe Donovan Mitchell is the missing piece
Oklahoma City owns the largest war chest of draft capital in the NBA. They have several additional first-round picks plus all of their own to trade except 2024. Sam Presti can win any bidding war, but when does he decide to strike?
The Thunder already have an MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a budding second star in Chet Holmgren. Jalen Williams is on his way to stardom too. Oklahoma City already has a scary roster and adding a five-time All-Star guard could make them unstoppable.
Does Mitchell want to join SGA and the Thunder? It may not be the most attractive city, but they will be in contention for years to come. If the goal is winning a championship, they may be the best destination over the next decade.
The Cleveland Cavaliers want to keep Donovan Mitchell, but the ball will be in his court this summer. They will offer an extension. If Mitchell signs it, he will remain in Cleveland for years to come. The franchise has to explore his trade market if he declines. The Cavaliers' best chance of keeping him is a deep playoff run. Decision time is coming quickly, so stay tuned for all the latest.