For most of the season, reports of the Cleveland Cavaliers potentially trading star Donovan Mitchell have surfaced. This is largely due to his contract situation. Now that the Cavaliers’ season is officially over, Mitchell has one full year remaining on his contract. This is before he must decide on his $37 million player option for the 2025-26 season. Mitchell and the Cavaliers can either agree to a contract extension to keep him around. Or, on the flip side, the team will ship him out in a trade.
Currently, no extension is imminent, further fueling potential trade rumors. Recently, one of the most trade destinations to pop up in rumors for the 27-year-old has been the Los Angeles Lakers. Earlier in the year, Jovan Buha of The Athletic said the Lakers will likely pursue adding a third star to team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Although Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young initially surfaced as their possible target, Mitchell makes sense as well.
A trade to acquire Mitchell may make sense for the Lakers. However, new reports are indicating it is unlikely to happen. According to Sam Amico of Hoopswire.com, a source told them that Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert “would never” make a trade to send Mitchell to L.A. Furthermore, Amico mentioned that Mitchell does not have a no-trade clause.
According to NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell is the Los Angeles Lakers‘ number one trade target. However, don’t expect Mitchell to land with the Lakers. A source told Hoops Wire that Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert “would never” trade Mitchell to the Lakers. Mitchell doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
Amico brings up that, while their relationship is better now than in 2010, Gilbert likely does not want to help James and his Lakers.
Cavaliers Unlikely to Trade Star to Western Conference Contender
If Not the Los Angeles Lakers, the Miami Heat Are a Possible Donovan Mitchell Destination
If the Cavaliers decide to trade Mitchell, the Miami Heat are a team to keep an eye on. After losing in the first round of the playoffs this year, the Heat have many decisions to make. This includes potentially adding another star to beef up their core next to Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Per Amico, the Cavaliers could have interest in Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. if a trade is on the horizon.
“Gilbert and Koby Altman would look for a lucrative package of multiple draft picks and one or two young players with star potential in a Mitchell trade. For example, a source told Hoops Wire that the Cavaliers would ask for Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. from the Heat in Mitchell trade talks if it gets to that point.”
The Last Word on Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers
Despite the numerous trade rumors, Gilbert has made it clear he believes Mitchell will ultimately stay in Cleveland.
“We’ve been talking to him, sure, for the last couple of years about extending this contract,” Gilbert said in an interview with the Associated Press’ Tom Withers on Thursday. “We think he will extend. I think if you listen to him talk, he loves the city.
It will be worth monitoring Mitchell’s status this summer to see if he remains with the team in the long run.
