The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a fight for survival in the first round of the playoffs. They sit with a 3-2 lead over the Raptors in the 4/5 matchup. Before the season started, Cleveland had ambitions of making the NBA Finals for the first time since LeBron James left in 2018.
Now, they are in a dogfight with Toronto. They are the most expensive team in the league, sitting in the second apron of the luxury tax. Not winning a title could have serious consequences for the future of the roster. That includes superstar guard Donovan Mitchell.
According to a recent report, other teams are looking at Mitchell as a possible trade target this season if the Cavs don’t at least make the Eastern Conference Finals.
GettyCleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell dribbles the ball in a game against the Raptors. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
Cavaliers Guard Donovan Mitchell Being Circled by Other Teams as a Possible Trade Target
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, other teams are monitoring the Cavaliers closely. He believes that the Cavs could consider moving on from Mitchell if they don’t advance past the first or second round.
“Nobody understands or knows what the future holds because if this team were to get eliminated early in the first round or even the second round, there’s a situation with Donovan Mitchell where rival executives are looking at him and trying to see is there a situation where he could be had this summer because he’ll be going into next season with one year left on his contract,” Haynes said on NBA TV.
Mitchell has proven to be the Cavs’ best playoff performer in the last few years. He is the most consistent offensive scorer. That has been the case this year as well, as he is averaging 23 points per game on 44 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.
GettyCleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell shoots the ball in a game against the Raptors. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Cleveland Could Have a Roster Overhaul in the Summer
If the Cavaliers don’t win the title, there is a very good chance that they start blowing up the core of the roster. With how expensive the team is, it doesn’t make sense for them to keep everyone into next year. Signing Mitchell to an extension would make sense, as long as Mitchell wants to stay.
James Harden is due for a contract extension. It’s not guaranteed that he gets one in Cleveland, especially if he performs poorly in a closeout game situation as he has in the past. Adding a max contract for him would further exacerbate the spending issue they already have.
Other teams around the league will look at multiple pieces on this roster as possible trade candidates heading into next season. Winning a championship is the only way for this core to be guaranteed another season together in Cleveland. Beating the Raptors needs to happen first.
The Cavaliers were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs last season.
Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell ‘Being Monitored’ by Rival Teams as Possible Trade Target