Dec 12, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts after being defeated by the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ risk of acquiring Donovan Mitchell two offseasons ago looks as though it’s going to come to fruition, which could potentially bode well for either the New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets.
The four-time All-Star guard is a free agent next season and the hopes of the Cavaliers building a legitimate championship contender look all but stalled out at this rate. After being knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by the Knicks last year, Mitchell’s supporting cast in Cleveland is sidelined for considerable stretches. Darius Garland has a broken jaw while Evan Mobley is shelved while recovering from knee surgery.
Through 27 games this season, the Cavaliers are 15-12 — sixth in the Eastern Conference — with Mitchell shouldering the load. He’s averaged 27.7 points and 5.5 assists per game. That kind of mediocrity isn’t what the 27-year-old was searching for when he demanded a trade from the Utah Jazz following the 2021-22 campaign.
Considering he’s signed through the 2024-25 season, the Cavaliers would be wise to trade him sooner rather than later to maximize their return while completely avoiding the possibility of him walking in free agency at the end of next season.
Of course, that catapults the Knicks back into the fold for a potential unification with Mitchell, who hails from the area and whose dad works for the New York Mets — one can see Mitchell at Citi Field often during the summers. The two were linked when Utah made him available two summers ago, but instead dealt him to Cleveland for a package including Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, and five first-round draft picks.
Mitchell himself believed that a homecoming was on his horizon, too, when the Jazz ultimately fired up trade…
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