castor777 wrote:njknicks wrote:Mitchell’s future will be determined by how the Cavs perform in this year’s playoffs - last year they were overwhelmed in the first round.
@ minimum they need to make it to the 2nd round and have a competitive series ( 6 to 7 game series )
@ maximum make it to the ECF or beyond.
Regardless of outcome they need to show playoff progress ( make it pass the first round & compete ) - anything less and Donovan Mitchell will not extend / test free agency once his contract expires.
Agreed. I think the only thing that's alleviating some tension right now is the Knicks aren't in need of pursuing Mitchell anymore so him going to New York doesn't seem to be in the cards. But if the Cavs underperform and have an embarrassing first round exit, he's going to still consider what options he has available.
A) I think playoff success on his current team is going to mean little to Mitchell, whether they are taken out in the 1st round or win the title.
We see time and time again, big time FA’s and soon to be who force trades, already have an idea of the market they want to play in, and the teammates they would like to play with.
It’s a little different when it’s a guy like Giannis, who has played with one franchise his whole career, won one already, remained a contender, and then his team obliged him and acquired a star running mate to finish his career.
Different circumstances, different breed of player, underrated owner willing to spend and sacrifice profits for the bigger picture, both legacy, and monetary.
B) The Knicks may or may not pursue Mitchell, but the Nets and Heat will regardless, among a handful of other teams like the Lakers, Magic, Houston and even Denver if Cleveland wanted to stay competitive and take Murray and whatever picks the Nuggets could trade, if Denver falls short and want a major shakeup.
Mitchell has already alluded to wanting to play for either New York team and Miami, and there’s always the chance he can be convinced to consider strictly contending and not just location and owner, if a golden opportunity presented itself.
And don’t get it twisted, Brooklyn is going to be a major FA and trade request destination for a long time.