Donovan Mitchell, a five-time All-Star guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers.
As early as this summer, Mitchell might be the next big name to become available, according to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.
“It is widely believed in NBA circles that Mitchell won’t accept an extension and will look elsewhere, and the Cavaliers will probably trade him before he can leave as a free agent,” Pincus wrote on April 5.
More gasoline was added to the fire by Mitchell’s response to Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert’s optimism that his star player will sign an extension this summer.
Mitchell told reporters on March 30 that “I got a lot of things to focus on outside of that right now.” “Okay, I’ll take care of that when it arises.”
The Cavaliers player “is all but certain to decline his $37.1 million player option for the 2025–26 season in order to investigate unrestricted free agency next July,” according to Pincus.
According to a January report by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Lakers held talks about moving for Mitchell should he become available.
According to team sources who spoke with ESPN on January 23, “The Lakers have discussed internally the possibility of packaging three picks, along with players they already have on their books, to pursue a bona fide star, such as Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers or Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks.”
Possible Trade Package for Lakers
The Lakers’ decision to hold out until the trade deadline was mostly motivated by the fact that they will have three first-round picks available following the NBA Draft in June.
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