When teams go star-searching this summer, the biggest dreamers in the basketball world will look toward Northeast Ohio. That’s where it seems like Donovan Mitchell, who can hit free agency next summer, could request a ticket out of town at any moment.
NBA insider Marc Stein recently reported there is a “growing belief among rival teams” that Cleveland “will be forced to trade Mitchell” if it can’t get his commitment on a contract extension. Making matters worse for the Cavs, “the buzz in NBA circles” indicates it would take an NBA Finals run for Mitchell to make that commitment, per B/R’s Eric Pincus.
At the very least, it feels like Mitchell is on the short list of stars likeliest to request a trade. While disgruntled elites always catch the attention of this franchise, the interest in Mitchell could be even greater. He is the high-end shot-creator this roster so desperately needs, shares a close bond with Heat legend Dwyane Wade and is tight with Adebayo, too.
Mitchell, who averaged 26.6 points and a career-high 6.1 assists this season, would be the kind of difference-maker that could convince Miami to empty its asset collection for him. It might take multiple picks, Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and more to get Mitchell, but it’s hard to think of a realistically available player who would give the Heat a better chance to contend during whatever remains of Jimmy Butler’s prime.
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