Around the NBA, general managers need to know what motivates players. What makes them tick? Are they exclusively concerned with competing for an NBA title? Are they in it for the money? Or are they interested in playing in a big market?
Take Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers. When he was a member of the Utah Jazz, it was rumored that he wanted to leave for a bigger market. The Cleveland Cavaliers traded for him anyway.
Now, it’s rumored that he could be leaving Cleveland after just one season with the club. Is it true that he’s set on playing for his hometown New York Knicks? Or could he just want to play in a bigger market? If so, could the Los Angeles Clippers acquire him?
The Trade Proposal
Cleveland Cavaliers $eceive: G/F Paul George, 2028 First-Round Pick (LAC)
Los Angeles Clippers $eceive: G Donovan Mitchell, G/F Isaac Okoro
It’s fair to say that some players are strongly motivated to play for their hometown team. Just look at Kawhi Leonard of the Clippers. A few years ago, he was on the Toronto Raptors. His stint there was brief, but it was successful. The Raptors won the 2018-19 NBA championship.
That summer, Leonard joined the Clippers in free agency anyway. He wanted to play for his hometown Los Angeles crowd, even if the Raptors were poised to make another title run.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Los Angeles Clippers & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
Is Mitchell cut from the same cloth? We don’t know. One would have to know Mitchell intimately to draw that conclusion. Should the Clippers take a risk on him anyway?
Why The Los Angeles Clippers Do The Deal
Realistically, the Clippers would have to dig for intel before making this decision. Let’s assume that they discover that, actually, market size is what matters to Mitchell. In that event, they shouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger on this deal.
It could help them in the present. George is somewhat injury-prone, and Leonard is regularly hurt. Mitchell is comparatively durable. Moreover, pairing Leonard with a dynamic scoring guard may be more sensible than pairing him with another shot-creating 3-and-D wing.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Los Angeles Clippers & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
Either way, this deal also works for the Clippers’ long-term outlook. Sure, they’re giving up a first-round pick, but they’re landing a much younger superstar and another intriguing young wing in the process. Should the Cavaliers give so much up for George?
Why The Cleveland Cavaliers Do The Deal
Well, sure – if Mitchell doesn’t see a long-term future in Cleveland. If he does, this is a moot point. The Cavaliers may as well hold onto their young star guard. Otherwise, this deal would make sense for them.
In fact, George rounds out this roster nicely. There are concerns about pairing Mitchell with another small guard in Darius Garland. By contrast, George is exactly the type of wing this roster is lacking.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Los Angeles Clippers & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
Meanwhile, landing an unprotected first is valuable too. The Cavaliers gave up a lot of draft capital to land Mitchell. Surely, they’d be motivated to get a pick back.
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