Jason Burgos
An NBA insider believes if the Cleveland Cavaliers are smart, they would trade Donovan Mitchell sooner than later because the four-time All-Star has no intention of staying in Ohio long-term.
In year one with Donovan Michell, the Cleveland Cavaliers had an outstanding season. They finished with a 51-31 record, were fourth in the Eastern Conference, and had one of the best defenses in the league. However, despite such a strong showing, they were on the wrong end of a major upset in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
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The Cavaliers’ quarterfinals ouster to the New York Knicks was a wake-up call that this group is good but far from being able to compete with the elites of the conference. The elimination also was a frustrating blow to Mitchell because he failed against his home state team after nearly being traded to them last summer.
- Donovan Mitchell stats (’22-’23): 28.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 39% 3PT
NBA insider claims Donovan Mitchell will never re-sign with Cleveland Cavaliers
Surprisingly, instead of NBA trade rumors that the Cavs could make a big trade to add another star, there has been speculation the star guard could be headed out of Cleveland. While many have scoffed at the notion, ESPN league insider Tim Bontemps gave an interesting bit of information on why Donovan Mitchell being traded should be something the team considers sooner than later.
“I don’t think there’s any chance he signs an extension there ever, and if it was up to me I would trade Donovan Mitchell today,” Bontemps said on a Monday edition of “The Hoop Collective Podcast” podcast. “I don’t think the Cavs are getting as far as they hope to next year, and I don’t think he’s gonna extend, and I think they’ll get a lot more for him with two summers left than they will with one summer left.
“Now I also am fully aware that’s not what they’re gonna do and I understand why they’re not gonna do it,” he continued. “… but me personally I think it’s more likely they are going to lose in the first round than they win two rounds, and in that scenario, I don’t really see any world where Donovan Mitchell wants to stay there after next season.”
Bontemps makes a very fair point and it should be something they seriously think about doing this summer. However, after such a strong showing last season, they may feel there is still more upside to this roster in year two and they can bounce back from their failures last season and be serious contenders in 2023-2024.
