All eyes are on the Cleveland Cavaliers ahead of the offseason.<\/p>\n
After battling past the Orlando Magic in the First Round, the Cavs met their match when they advanced in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Facing a terrific Boston Celtics squad, Cleveland\u2019s hopes of reaching the NBA Finals were crushed. With Jarrett Allen<\/a> missing the entire series and Donovan Mitchell<\/a> sidelined for their final two games, the Cavs only managed one win in the semifinals.<\/p>\n Cleveland\u2019s playoff run didn\u2019t necessarily feel abbreviated though.<\/p>\n Even if completely healthy, the Cavs faced an uphill battle against Boston, who went 64-18 in the regular season. For reference, Cleveland was 48-34 in 2023-24. They were 1-2 in their regular season series against the Celtics.<\/p>\n Nonetheless, it\u2019s possible that their dreams were dashed because their postseason run was punctuated by injuries.<\/p>\n Following their playoff elimination, word quickly spread that Cleveland may have to split up their star backcourt<\/a>. Mitchell has several purported trade suitors, namely the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, and both teams in New York. Darius Garland<\/a> has primarily been linked to the San Antonio Spurs. However, the Wolves, Lakers, and Pelicans are looming in the background.<\/p>\n With regard to New Orleans, their front office is led by former Cavs general manager, David Griffin. Griffin left the Cavs in 2017, long before Garland was drafted. Nonetheless, his ties to Cleveland\u2019s front office and the Pelicans\u2019 need for a starting point guard make New Orleans a realistic destination.<\/p>\n The Brooklyn Nets, another point guard needy team, could also take a swing at Garland. Like the Pelicans, Brooklyn has a volume scorer that they could send to Cleveland in exchange for the floor general. While New Orleans could ship off Brandon Ingram<\/a>, the Nets could move on from Cam Thomas<\/a>. Both are good enough to help the Cavs stay afloat without Garland. In 2023-24, Ingram averaged 20.8 points and 5.7 assists per game. Thomas averaged 22.5 points per game.<\/p>\n That being said, while the Cavs are fond of both Mitchell and Garland, they\u2019d likely pick the former if forced to choose between them. Mitchell is more established, more reliable, and more productive. Indeed, he\u2019s never had a single season in which he averaged below 20 points or 1 steal per game. To compare, Garland\u2019s accomplished that feat twice in five seasons.<\/p>\n The biggest problem for Cleveland is that Mitchell\u2019s future with the team isn\u2019t up to them.<\/p>\n With a player option on Mitchell\u2019s contract for the 2025-26 season, the Cavs are optimistic that the two sides will agree to a contract extension<\/a> before he becomes a free agent. Yet, his camp has been coy about his upcoming contract decision. The five-time All-Star has repeatedly said he\u2019s been happy in Cleveland. Still, reports paint a picture of dissatisfaction, Mitchell perturbed by the Cavs being overly reliant on his talent.<\/p>\n Following the Cavs\u2019 loss to the Celtics in Game 5, Mitchell addressed the questions about his future with the team in an exchange with ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski.<\/p>\n \u201cHe said to me, \u2018I know I\u2019ve got decisions to make this offseason. My agent and I will talk to Cleveland about that at the right time,\u2019\u201d reports Wojnarowski.<\/p>\n Donovan Mitchell told @wojespn<\/a> he and his agent will meet with the Cavaliers \u201cat the right time\u201d to discuss his future with the organization.<\/p>\n Mitchell is eligible to sign a 4-year, $209 million extension.<\/p>\n If Mitchell declines, it likely sets in motion a trade out of Cleveland. pic.twitter.com\/A8unSAYetI<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 17, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nDonovan Mitchell Addresses Looming Contract Decision<\/h2>\n
Waiting on Donovan Mitchell<\/h3>\n
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