- Donovan Mitchell has two years left on his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, including a $37 million player option in 2025-26.
- The Cavaliers are looking to extend Mitchell, but if he doesn’t, Cleveland might look to trade him this summer.
- The Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James, are +300 favorites to land Mitchell, according to reputable sportsbook BetOnline.
Donovan Mitchell’s season came to an abrupt halt as he had to miss Games 4 and 5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ matchup with the Boston Celtics. The high-scoring guard suffered a left calf strain, and while the Cavaliers fought gamely without Mitchell, they lost to the top-seeded Celtics in five games.
The story switches to the offseason, as Mitchell must decide what to do next. The star has two years left on his contract, which includes a player option for $37 million in 2025-26.
The Cavaliers are aiming to sign Mitchell to an extension. CBS Sports states that there is a “growing sentiment” he is willing to sign a four-year extension worth $208 million.
However, if Mitchell doesn’t sign the extension, the Cavaliers would likely move to trade the player this summer. This would help recoup some of what Cleveland gave up for Mitchell in a trade with the Utah Jazz. But where would Mitchell land?
Popular online bookmaker BetOnline is tipping Mitchell to end up in purple and gold with another player known for his time in Cleveland.
Lakers Edge Out Nets, Heat, Knicks As Favorites To Trade For Mitchell
The Los Angeles Lakers are favored at +300 to trade for Mitchell, a 28-year-old guard coming off back-to-back All-Star seasons in Cleveland. This gives the Lakers an implied probability of 25% to land him.
If the Cavaliers can’t sign him to an extension, the Lakers would be at the front of the line to try to trade for Mitchell. The Lakers need help for former Cavalier LeBron James, who will be 40 next season as he looks to win his fifth championship ring.
The Brooklyn Nets are right behind the Lakers at +400. They would be looking to make a big swing after missing the playoffs, and Mitchell would be a massive acquisition for the franchise. The Nets were burned trying to put together a “Big Three” of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. But that wouldn’t put them off attempting to land another star in Mitchell.
The Miami Heat are intriguing at +500, and might have the best trade package to offer the Cavs in Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez. The Heat would love to pair Mitchell with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
The New York Knicks are in the mix at +675, and they tried to trade for Mitchell before the Jazz moved Mitchell to Cleveland. The Cavs stepped up with a better deal for Utah. But Mitchell, who grew up in New York, would be an excellent pairing with fellow All-Star Jalen Brunson.
All Eyes On Mitchell This Offseason
Mitchell’s story is the biggest of the season, and he’ll have suitors if he decides to leave Cleveland. It would be almost poetic if he went to the Lakers, as James did in 2018 as a free agent after his second stint with his hometown Cavaliers. Mitchell’s ability to score would take some pressure off James and Anthony Davis.
But the Cavaliers will be looking for a big haul. They gave up Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochi Agbali, three first-round picks and two pick swaps to get Mitchell in September 2022. They’ll aim to get something in that ballpark for Mitchell.
The Cavaliers are still in the driver’s seat as they can offer a maximum extension to Mitchell. But if they don’t make progress on that extension, the Cavs will aim to get as much as they can for the five-time All-Star. He would boost any team’s odds at NBA betting sites.
