Fresh off a second round exit in the NBA Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers are facing a potential franchise-altering offseason.
Star guard Donovan Mitchell has popped up continually as potential trade bait with the All-Star entering the final year of his contract. Cleveland might very well opt to trade Mitchell rather than face the real possibility of losing him in free agency next summer.
We’ve read reports that the Cavaliers could also trade guard Darius Garland and big man Jarrett Allen. Needless to say, there are several moving parts in Cleveland heading into the summer.
According to this note from Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is expected to be heavily involved in what the Cavaliers do during the offseason.
Whether this is good news for the Cavaliers and their fans remains to be seen. Gilbert is among the most volatile owners in professional sports.
His Cavaliers teams have failed to be relevant on the broader NBA stage when LeBron James has not been the face of the organization.
In fact, this year’s run to the Eastern Conference Semifinals represented the first time Cleveland has made it out of Round 1 without LeBron James since all the way back in 1992-93.
Related: Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star expected to look for new team this summer
Obviously, the biggest story in Cleveland this offseason will be Donovan Mitchell. But there are other moving parts. In addition to Garland and Allen being mentioned in trade talks, Evan Mobley could receive a max contract this summer.