The Cleveland Cavaliers are second in the Eastern Conference entering NBA games today, but Donovan Mitchell’s name keeps coming up in trade rumors anyway. This is because Mitchell has just one year left on his contract before having the option to become a free agent once the 2025 season concludes.
Meanwhile, signs continue to point to LeBron James staying put with the Los Angeles Lakers through the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline. Chances are, with the Lakers sitting in ninth place of the Western Conference, we won’t see a blockbuster move come out of Los Angeles this season.
That doesn’t mean the Lakers’ front office isn’t trying to find creative ways to improve the roster surrounding James and Anthony Davis, but landing a player like Mitchell may not happen. At least not this season, but what about during the summer?
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Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks eyeing Donovan Mitchell trade this summer
While the Los Angeles Lakers are still working the phone lines, Bill Reiter of CBS Sports says the team is experiencing trade complications due to the belief that they can trade for Donovan Mitchell later this offseason. He also adds that the New York Knicks could also be a team with a Mitchell trade on their radar when the summer begins.
Yet, for the Lakers, they don’t want to risk parting with their best assets now, in case it takes them out of the running for Mitchell later. In other words, they’re struggling with the idea of trying to go all in for this season, or wait until the summer, when bigger stars may be available.
Then again, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Lakers have enough trade assets to land a superstar like Mitchell. Without trading Anthony Davis or LeBron James, the best piece the Lakers have to offer is Austin Reaves and several first-round selections, but will that be enough for the Cavaliers to trade their best player?
