The NBA news cycle moves quickly. You might spend months writing about a trade rumor. Eventually, that player gets moved – but before you know it, he’s back in the rumor mill.
Just look at Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was only last summer that we were talking about where the Utah Jazz would send him. Eventually, they’d send him to the Cavaliers. Now, it seems as if the Cavaliers may be forced to move him. Apparently, Mitchell wouldn’t sign an extension with the team if he had the opportunity.
Is that because Mitchell has eyes for a bigger market? This has long been the speculation. With that in mind, Mitchell is one of the most talented offensive guards in the NBA. Even another small market team could take a chance on him. Could that team be the Oklahoma City Thunder?
The Trade Proposal
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: F Davis Bertans, G/F Luguentz Dort, 2024 First-Round Pick (Top-4 Protected – HOU via OKC), 2025 First-Round Pick (MIA via OKC), 2026 First-Round Pick (LAC via OKC), 2027 First-Round Pick (OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: G Donovan Mitchell
With that said, sometimes, trade rumors come and go. The news cycle passes over them. In the end, they don’t make the news. For example, the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander used to be a popular trade target.
The Thunder had been tanking for a while. It felt like Gilgeous-Alexander must have been growing tired of it. With that context in mind, it certainly felt like Gilgeous-Alexander was a candidate to make a trade request.
NBA TRADE, NEWS & RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
He never did. In the meantime, the Thunder improved. Last season, they looked like a team on the rise – and Gilgeous-Alexander looked like an MVP candidate. Now, nobody would suggest that the Thunder might trade him. Could they pair him with Mitchell?
Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal
Some Thunder fans may protest this deal. Why would they invest so much in a point guard? Don’t they have their backcourt of the future? Perhaps. To be sure, Josh Giddey is a dynamic talent in his own right.
With that said, the combined spacing between Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddy is lacking. This may not be a viable long-term pairing. With that said, acquiring Mitchell could make them more viable if Giddey can play the 3 defensively.
NBA TRADE, NEWS & RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
After all, Mitchell is one of the most lethal three-point threats in the NBA. He can shoot off the catch or dribble, and whether he’s squared up or off balance, or open or not. He’d give this offense a huge boost. In fact, he could help the Thunder transition to title contention. Should the Cavaliers help them make that transition?
Why The Cleveland Cavaliers Do The Deal
This won’t be an easy decision for the Cavaliers to make. They acquired Mitchell themselves to transition to title contention. How can they give up on him already?
Well, it seems as if Mitchell doesn’t intend on sticking with the Cavaliers. If those rumors are true, they’re reason enough to move him. Losing Mitchell without receiving anything in return would be a disaster. Here, the Cavaliers are receiving as many picks as they gave up to acquire Mitchell in the first place.
NBA TRADE, NEWS & RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
It’s also worth noting that they’re receiving Luguentz Dort. This team’s wing depth was a problem last year. By adding Dort to a rotation that features Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers could build an elite defense. This deal forces them to take a step backward, but it could benefit them in the long run – in fact, it could benefit them pretty quickly. That’s how it goes in the NBA.
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