The rumor mill kicked into high gear concerning the Cleveland Cavaliers after they were eliminated from the playoffs last week. There have been tons of trade rumors surrounding the team, plus some questions about Donovan Mitchell’s future.
Mitchell is under contract to make $35.4 million next season and has a player option for the following year. The Cavaliers reportedly have been working hard to sign him to an extension, but a new deal hasn’t been agreed to yet. There has been talk about teams potentially trying to trade for Mitchell too.
The Athletic’s Jovan Buha says that Mitchell is the Los Angeles Lakers’ top trade target this offseason. However, Hoops Wire reported on Monday that Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert “would never” trade Mitchell to the Lakers.
It’s not too hard to understand why.
Gilbert was enraged when LeBron James left the Cavaliers for the Heat in 2010, and he probably wasn’t happy to lose him to the Lakers in 2018. The last thing he probably would want to do is lose his best player to the Lakers for a second time, while simultaneously helping James get closer to winning another championship.
It’s also important to keep in mind that none of this speculation means Mitchell is going anywhere. The Cavs would have to receive a message loud and clear saying that Mitchell wants out before they would consider giving up the 5-time All-Star.
