The arena was still halfway full when the rumors began to circulate about Donovan Mitchell’s future in Cleveland. After the series-ending loss to the New York Knicks this week, Mitchell was forced to make a statement on social media to debunk the claims of his unhappiness.
“Yeah aight [that’s cap]. I’m sick of yall sometimes,” he wrote in response to a recent rumor on X.
Yeah aight 🧢 I’m sick of yall sometimes! https://t.co/B7zdP8APDk
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) May 16, 2024
It’s understandable that Mitchel would grow frustrated with his teammates. For one reason or another, they were unable to rise to the occasion and Donovan Mitchell was really the only one who consistently showed up to play. While Mitchell denies any resentment toward his team, it’s hard to believe that he’s not tempted by other opportunities on bigger market teams.
For these reasons and more, the young superstar has been one of the biggest subplots of the season. While he’s still under contract through next season and has a player option for the 2025-26 campaign, Mitchell can force his way out this summer if he goes public with a trade demand. In a similar strategy to Ben Simmons, James Harden, and Kevin Durant, Mitchell can threaten to leave in free agency and the Cavaliers would be pressured to trade him now or lose him for nothing.
According to rumor and speculation that goes back years, Mitchell has never been truly comfortable with the Cavaliers and their repeated playoff failures was the final straw for his long-term future with the franchise.
After their latest defeat, the Cavaliers are expected to choose between Mitchell and Darius Garland this summer but a trade request would make that choice pretty easy. While Mitchell is denying any problems with the Cavaliers or his current teammates, he hasn’t denied interest in going elsewhere… like the New York Knicks.
As the playoffs drag on, more and more information will come out about the situation with the Cavaliers but they have too much talent to sit on their hands and do nothing this summer. One way or another, they will make changes and some tough goodbyes will have to be made.
The Donovan Mitchell Sweepstakes Has Already Begun
With averages of 26.6 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game on 46.2% shooting, Donovan Mitchell is easily one of the top 20 players in the game and his presence alone can move the needle for any playoff team. Dating back to his days with the Jazz, however, Mitchell has always been heavily involved in rumors and the noise has reached ridiculous levels this year after the Cavs’ latest elimination.
Around the league, several teams are prepared to make a significant offer for Mitchell, including the Lakers, Heat, Hawks, and Memphis Grizzlies. The price will not be cheap by any stretch but Mitchell’s game is the kind that can raise the ceiling for any playoff team and his shooting is an attribute that will never go out of style.
For now, only time will tell where Mitchell will land but with limited trade options for most teams this offseason, he’s going to be the main attraction for much of the summer. And, depending on where he ends up, it could shake up the balance of power in a massive way.
But until Mitchell himself decides where he wants to go, the Cavaliers still have reason to hope in their future and they will not let him go without a fight. For the Lakers, or any other team, to acquire him will take a massive haul of assets to make an offer that cannot be refused.
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