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https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10115538-landing-spots-for-donovan-mitchell-if-cavs-trade-star-guard-during-nba-offseason

According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, Donovan Mitchell will likely not re-sign in Cleveland barring a NBA Finals run:

“Mitchell is all but certain to decline his $37.1 million player option for the 2025-26 season to explore unrestricted free agency next July.

The buzz in NBA circles suggests that barring a run to the NBA Finals, Mitchell will decline an extension and look elsewhere, and the Cavaliers are more likely than not to move him well before he can leave outright as a free agent.”

If he asks out this offseason, what would the Cavs be seeking in return? Would they prefer pick-heavy packages or young players? Or would they want to stay competitive and seek an all-star?

For a potential trade with the Knicks, it would need to be a pick-heavy package. And the Cavs would need to see the value in McBride, who Knicks fans are very high on but I’m not sure about the rest of the league.

Assuming the salary figures are accurate on Hoopshype…

Bojan, Deuce, Jericho, DaQuan (plus a boatload of picks) for Donovan Mitchell works (barely) under the CBA.

Teams whose salaries are below the first tax apron ($172,346,000) can take back the following amounts:

—200% of the outgoing salary (plus $250K), for any amount up to $7,500,000.
—The outgoing salary plus $7.5MM, for any amount between $7,500,001 and $29,000,000.
—125% of the outgoing salary (plus $250K), for any amount above $29,000,000.

Bojan: $19,032,850
Deuce: $4,710,144
DaQuan: $2,463,946
Jericho: $2,092,344

TOTAL outgoing salary: $28,299,284

We can take back a salary amount no more than $7,500,000 higher than that number (plus $250k).

$28,299,284 + $7,500,000 = $35,799,284 (plus $250k = $36,049,284.

Donovan Mitchell makes $35,410,310.

Knicks Trade:
Bojan Bogdanovic (expiring)
Deuce McBride
DaQuan Jeffries
Jericho Sims
2024 Knicks 1st Round Pick
2024 Mavs 1st Round Pick
2024 Wizards 1st Round Pick (protected, will not convey this year)
2024 Pistons 1st Round Pick (protected, will not convey this year)
2025 Bucks 1st Round Pick (protected)
2025 Pick Swap
2026 Knicks 1st Round Pick (unprotected)
2027 Pick Swap
2028 Knicks 1st Round Pick (top 10 protected)

Cavs Trade:
Donovan Mitchell

Is that enough of a haul for the Cavs to trade Donovan Mitchell if he tells them he’s not re-signing with them? Does that beat the player packages that other teams will offer?

For Knicks fans, 7 picks and 2 swaps seems like a lot on the surface for a player with one year left on his contract, but hear me out: The 2024 Knicks/Mavs picks are late first rounders in a weak draft. The Detroit/Washington protected picks are late first rounders or would convert to 2nd rounders down the line. The Bucks protected pick will convert next year, but it’ll be another late first rounder with Dame on Giannis still there. The hope/expectation with the 2025/2027 swaps is that we will have the better team so the Cavs would have the better pick (and thus, not swap with us). The 2026 unprotected pick will be when our core is still very much in their prime. 2028 who knows, but that’s why there is top 10 protection there.

Then again, that breakdown of the draft picks may be exactly why the Cavs wouldn’t be interested.

This would give the Knicks the following rotation with everyone in their prime for 3+ more years:

Jalen Brunson / FA
Donovan Mitchell / Donte DiVincenzo
OG Anunoby / Josh Hart
Julius Randle / FA / Josh Hart
Isaiah Hartenstein / Mitchell Robinson

Gotta go for it at some point. I think that team gives us a real shot to be a contender year in and year out.

I don't know what Mitchell will do, but if you read the quoted passages from that piece critically, it's pretty clear that guy has no sources with actual knowledge. That's the encapsulation of a Knicks for Clicks article.

The Knicks really don’t have much to offer until OG becomes eligible to trade. I am happy to hype up their assets to create a bidding war, but your proposal isn’t appealing at all, just expirings and a collection of lower-level picks.

DowJones wrote:The Knicks really don’t have much to offer until OG becomes eligible to trade. I am happy to hype up their assets to create a bidding war, but your proposal isn’t appealing at all, just expirings and a collection of lower-level picks.

Yeah, I agree. That's pretty mid. Also not sure I see the fit next to Brunson.
I'm honestly not sure where I see Mitchell fitting best. He's a great player but he needs to be next to a bigger, defensive minded guard.

I think Cleveland should be smart and trade Mitchell if he refuses to sign a max deal. They have a core that they can build around as long as they don’t let him walk.

But those talks probably go through to the last day and they still get a nice asset haul for half a season, a playoff run, and bird rights of Mitchell. It’ll be less than he’s worth, but it’ll be enough for Cleveland to retool around Allen/Mobley/Garland.

If they weren’t in pick debt, or didn’t have a young core ready, maybe you keep Mitchell and risk free agency - still offering more money than anyone else. But him walking would hurt this version of the team too much..

But that doesn’t seem like news. I think most Cleveland fans would understand the team trading him if he doesn’t take the max extension..

I think putting a stipulation like making the finals - doesn’t seem like something that actually happened.

I think there is something behind the scenes with the NETS... call me a conspiracy theorist but the movements or rather the non-movements of the NETS have seemed very strange to me... I guess the Cavs would want to remain competitive...

Lavine+Clowney+Caruso +FRP(by Nets) to Cavs

Simmons+C.Thomas +Struss to BULLS

Mitchell+Carter to NETS

Or just Cut Bulls and send Cam J +Cam T + Picks?

After the Mitchell trade the Cavs should've immediately fired that idiot coach and tried to assemble a team around Don that actually fits. Even casuals could see the short backcourt and 2 redundant defensive bigs was not the answer. Hopefully they can convince Don to stay and trade out non fitting albeit very talented players Garland and/or Mobley for better fitting talented pieces.

Otherwise all they can do is trade Don for the best package but the return won't be the same warchest they traded for him.

Morey will trade every pick we own for him. I feel like Mitchell has been his #1 target for a long time.

I like this idea, with Lavine going back to the Cavs

Bulls gets Simmons plus a pick (let's say Suns '27 pick)
Cavs get Lavine, a few BRK pieces plus picks
Nets get Mitchell

I think he ends up with the Lakers this summer. They have 3 picks to deal at the draft along with Reaves and other contracts. They could even deal AD to a 3rd team if necessary as I believe he and Lebron have just about run their course as a duo in LA.

pipfan wrote:I like this idea, with Lavine going back to the Cavs

Bulls gets Simmons plus a pick (let's say Suns '27 pick)
Cavs get Lavine, a few BRK pieces plus picks
Nets get Mitchell

The Cavs don't like that idea.

I really like Mitchell to the Spurs.

SAS trades: 2025 ATL 1st, 2026 ATL/SAS 1st (higher), 2027 ATL 1st, Devin Vassell, other stuff?
CLE trades: Donovan Mitchell

mg wrote:After the Mitchell trade the Cavs should've immediately fired that idiot coach and tried to assemble a team around Don that actually fits. Even casuals could see the short backcourt and 2 redundant defensive bigs was not the answer. Hopefully they can convince Don to stay and trade out non fitting albeit very talented players Garland and/or Mobley for better fitting talented pieces.

Otherwise all they can do is trade Don for the best package but the return won't be the same warchest they traded for him.

I'd argue that our core 4, when healthy, is still very scary. In fact, Strus has been a very good acquisition and solid as our 5th starter. It's just that they've played about 10 games worth of minutes together the entire season due to injuries.

Our bench, on the other hand, has proven to be fool's gold three seasons in a row. I'm definitely meh on JBB, and short of Mitchell, Wade, and Okoro all returning close to 100% in the playoffs, he's likely gone. That said, it's difficult to point to a healthy player on the bench who hasn't gotten run and say he would've made a difference. I can't name 8 healthy guys who should definitely be part of a playoff rotation.

Mike lorenzo wrote:I think there is something behind the scenes with the NETS... call me a conspiracy theorist but the movements or rather the non-movements of the NETS have seemed very strange to me... I guess the Cavs would want to remain competitive...

Lavine+Clowney+Caruso +FRP(by Nets) to Cavs

Simmons+C.Thomas +Struss to BULLS

Mitchell+Carter to NETS

Or just Cut Bulls and send Cam J +Cam T + Picks?

I'm for cutting the Bulls out

I'd rather keep, and pay Lavine even with the potential for injury. Simmons is beyond the potential for injury, he's a worst bet than Lonzo Ball. If the Bulls are giving up Caruso and taking Simmons, they need a pick or 4 2nds.

The nets just played the Bulls and Thomas is the perfect microwave guy off the bench to play with four guys who rebound, play defense and spread the floor. He decides he's going to get his shot and just ignores the other four guys on the floor unless he gives up the dribble and gets double teamed. Since Lavine has been out the Bulls have shown that if they move the ball, get 28+ assists and play defense they win games. Thomas is no part of that. It's unlikely Struss wants to return to the Bulls and he's a slightly more versatile Thomas to blend in with White and Dosunmu.

Mike lorenzo wrote:I think there is something behind the scenes with the NETS... call me a conspiracy theorist but the movements or rather the non-movements of the NETS have seemed very strange to me... I guess the Cavs would want to remain competitive...

Lavine+Clowney+Caruso +FRP(by Nets) to Cavs

Simmons+C.Thomas +Struss to BULLS

Mitchell+Carter to NETS

Or just Cut Bulls and send Cam J +Cam T + Picks?

I agree with this, I think Nets have intel on Donovan Mitchell and are operating on that belief.

Ben Simmons + Cam Thomas + more picks or Cam Johnson + Cam Thomas + less picks for Mitchell, I think both offers ultimately work if Mitchell is not re-signing and Cavs are looking to trade.

Mitchell is Nets, Lakers or Heat

NYG wrote:Mitchell is Nets, Lakers or Heat

Outside shot of Magic or Spurs.

If it’s the Nets, I think it’s the 2 Cam’s, DFS, probably 2 of the 4 Suns/Mavs picks. Probably the worse of the 2 ‘29 and either the ‘25 or ‘27 Suns pick. Maybe they get one of Whitehead, or the Sixers pick as well.

Could see it also being something where it’s expanded and LeVert reunites with Brooklyn.

vincecarter4pres wrote:If it’s the Nets, I think it’s the 2 Cam’s, DFS, probably 2 of the 4 Suns/Mavs picks. Probably the worse of the 2 ‘29 and either the ‘25 or ‘27 Suns pick. Maybe they get one of Whitehead, or the Sixers pick as well.

Could see it also being something where it’s expanded and LeVert reunites with Brooklyn.

Just thought of something like this:

Ben Simmons
Cam Thomas
Dariq Whitehead
2025 Phoenix 1st
2027 Phoenix 1st
2027 Philly 1st

for

Donovan Mitchell
Dean Wade
(Another filler?)


Keeps Cam Johnson out of the trade, although trading Cam Johnson could make it really easy for Nets to have another max slot in 2025 FA. With Ben as expiring salary to make it work, Nets giving up 3 firsts there and Dariq Whitehead who was a project pick this year. Dean Wade doesn't need to be added but its more so to make the salaries fair.