Would the Cleveland Cavaliers consider trading All-Star Donovan Mitchell after just one season? They haven’t indicated it, but of course, just about any player in the NBA can be had at the right price.
Mitchell’s first season in Cleveland was, for the most part, a success. He averaged a career-high 28.3 points per game, helping the Cavaliers to the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. However, they were ousted by the New York Knicks in just five games in the opening round.
The Cavaliers have no reason to trade Mitchell unless the front office gets an offer they can’t refuse. Could such an offer come from an unlikely conference rival?
At NBA Analysis Network, James Piercey proposed such a deal that has Cleveland sending Mitchell to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for two-way stalwart O.G. Anunoby, Chris Boucher, Otto Porter Jr. plus 2026 and 2028 first-round picks:
“For the Cavaliers, this comes down to their own internal intelligence. If they feel that they’ve got a good shot at retaining Mitchell, they may pass on this deal. On the other hand, they may have to consider it in any event.
After all, the Cavaliers have Darius Garland. He’s an elite playmaker who can create his own shot as well. Like the Raptors, the Cavaliers are diversifying their roster here. They’re adding one of the best 3-and-D wings in the NBA at the expense of an elite offensive guard, and they already have another great offensive guard on their roster…
Boucher and Porter give them some depth. Throw in a pair of first-round picks, and the Cavaliers would have to consider this deal. You can’t rely on a star player to stay in town these days.”
The 26-year-old Anunoby would be the ultimate prize of the return here. The 2017 first-round pick has averaged over 15 points per game in three straight seasons, and he helped the Raptors to the franchise’s first NBA Championship in 2019.
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If Toronto were to make this grade, they would have a nice “big three” in Mitchell, veteran Pascal Siakam and rising star Scottie Barnes. That would unquestionably make them a contender in an Eastern Conference that simply feels like a three-way horse race between the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat.
