Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell has been given unprecedented power over the franchise. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Mitchell’s authority and influence within the organization rivals that of LeBron James‘ with the Lakers.
“Donovan’s position with the Cavs right now is potentially as powerful as any team with any star player,” Windhorst said on 850 ESPN Cleveland. “With possible trades coming, with the type of contract he’s going to get offered. With the coaching position open. What Donovan has with the Cavs is what LeBron has with the Lakers. In fact, it might even be stronger because the Lakers have another superstar player on their roster. And LeBron’s about to turn 40. Donovan is entering his prime.”
"What Donovan has with the Cavs is what LeBron has with the Lakers, in fact it might even be stronger," – @WindhorstESPN on Donovan Mitchell's level of influence with the Cavs. pic.twitter.com/1K60Huuy5K
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) May 29, 2024
As the champion of player empowerment, LeBron James is the biggest factor behind the Lakers’ moves recently, and even at 39 years old, they are building the team the way he wants it — including potentially hiring his friend JJ Redick to be the head coach.
For the Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell holds a similar level of importance. With averages of 26.6 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game, he’s been a bonafide superstar over his two seasons with the team and their best player since LeBron ditched town back in 2018.
While Mitchell, a 5x All-Star, is not on LeBron’s level in terms of talent and championship experience, he’s the only thing keeping the Cavaliers competitive right now. Since his arrival, it’s been a breakout campaign for Mitchell, with the high point coming in January of 2023 when he went off for 71 points against the Chicago Bulls.
Following their defeat in the second round this year, the Cavaliers are expected to choose between Mitchell and young point guard Darius Garland, but the choice may already be made. If Mitchell genuinely wants to stay and is willing to sign an extension to prove it, it’s hard to see how the Cavaliers say no to that given how much power and trust they’ve given him over the past two years.
Donovan Mitchell Is The Hottest Target Of The Summer
With a weak draft and a limited pool of free agents this offseason, teams will have to be aggressive if they want to improve their roster in any significant way. In the case of the Cavaliers, we know that they are prepared to shake up the backcourt in a major way, and either Mitchell or Garland will be traded by the end of the summer.
“Rival executives believe the Cavs will have to seriously evaluate the fit of Mitchell and Garland and ultimately may have to choose one or the other,” reported one insider on the Cavaliers.
Arguably the biggest challenger to Donovan’s future with the Cavaliers is the New York Knicks. After losing in the second round, the Knicks have plenty of reason to seek reinforcements, and what better fit is there than Mitchell? As an elite shooter, scorer, and ball handler, Mitchell could add some serious juice to the Knicks’ backcourt and he could be the final piece they need to make a serious title run.
If not the Knicks, then the Bulls, the Grizzlies, and the Lakers are all teams mentioned with some degree of interest in a Mitchell trade but it will take a monster offer to pry him away from the Cavaliers.
As a potential free agent as soon as 2025, Mitchell isn’t locked down for long and whether the Cavaliers trade him or not, he’ll have a chance to choose his own path at this point next year and it will be interesting to see if he sticks around.
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