.jpg)
1 hour ago
2
The Cleveland Cavaliers are doing well this season, sitting at 33-21 and fourth place in the Eastern Conference. However, if their playoff luck is the same as the past few seasons, something worrisome could happen.
According to Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes, that worrisome thing regards Cleveland’s franchise star, Donovan Mitchell. Hughes predicts if the Cavs are early playoff exits, Mitchell could ask for a trade.
“Mitchell didn't choose Cleveland; he was traded there. And his decision to sign a two-year extension with a player option on the third in 2024 wasn't necessarily a display of undying loyalty. That deal was designed to put him back on the market with 10 years of service, when he could agree to a new contract worth up to $380 million. It was also a concession that other teams—some of which he's been rumored to prefer all along, like the New York Knicks—simply couldn't pay him more than the Cavs could at that time. If Cleveland goes belly-up in the postseason, Mitchell will immediately become a hot commodity. Realistically, anything short of a competitive run that ends in the conference finals will trigger whispers of an impending move,” Hughes wrote.
So far this season, Mitchell is averaging 29 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 steals in 33.8 minutes per game. To lose Mitchell would be a devastating blow to Cleveland’s offense and defense, as they would be losing their main superstar.
However there is a chance Mitchell could stay anyways. It was reported that he and James Harden are already trying to recruit future Hall-of-Famer LeBron James to play for his hometown one last time, and if that happens, Mitchell has no reason to leave.
Here’s hoping the latter is true, as a Big Three of James, Harden, and Mitchell could bring Cleveland back to the promised land for the first time in a decade.
MORE NBA CONTENT
Former three-time NBA All-Star slams Lakers for sole trade deadline acquisition being Luke Kennard
English (US)