Around the NBA, some general managers are seen as being more difficult to deal with than others. That’s not necessarily a criticism. Being recognized as being easy to deal with isn’t a compliment, either. A GM should hold out for a deal that works for their team.
On the other hand, some GMs seem to play hardball a little too aggressively. Sometimes, they can miss out on trades that way. Take the Toronto Raptors’ Masai Ujiri. By all accounts, he’s difficult to deal with – perhaps too difficult. It seems as if his tough negotiation tactics may have cost the Raptors Damian Lillard.
Where does this team’s future hold? The Raptors are at a crossroads. They aren’t good enough to contend, but they aren’t exactly rebuilding, either. Could they still push all in on a guard? How about Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers?
The Trade Proposal
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: F OG Anunoby, F/C Thaddeus Young, F Otto Porter Jr., 2026 First-Round Pick (TOR), 2028 First-Round Pick (TOR)
Toronto Raptors Receive: G Donovan Mitchell
With that said, the Raptors were perhaps never a fitting suitor for Lillard. This was not an easy situation to resolve. The Raptors had the means to trade for Lillard. Did they have the motivation?
Sure, they could have traded Scottie Barnes. Given the return that the Portland Trail Blazers would ultimately receive for Lillard, they’d have likely taken that deal in a heartbeat. Would it have been wise for the Raptors to part with the young potential star?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers & Toronto Raptors Updates
On the other hand, the Blazers may have even accepted OG Anunoby. Still, acquiring Lillard would mean an all-in push toward a title. Anunoby is the type of player you want around if you’re making that type of push. Is acquiring Mitchell any different?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
Well, yes. Mitchell is much younger than Lillard. If the Raptors acquired him, they wouldn’t necessarily be in title-or-bust mode. Mitchell could be Barnes’ long-term co-star. This is a more sensible target for the Raptors.
After all, this team could certainly use a guard who can create his own shot. That’s exactly what they were missing last year. Mitchell is one of the best shot-creating guards in the NBA. He could improve this team’s short-term outlook, and he could revolutionize it in the long run.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers & Toronto Raptors Updates
Meanwhile, the Raptors may want to move on from Anunoby before his contract extension is due. The Raptors would be committing much money to forwards between Anunoby, Barnes, and Pascal Siakam. Acquiring Mitchell is a way of diversifying their rotation. Should the Cavaliers send him to the Raptors?
Why The Cleveland Cavaliers Do The Deal
Similarly, this deal diversifies the Cavaliers’ rotation. After all, the Cavaliers already have a shot-creating playmaking guard in Darius Garland. Some have even suggested that Mitchell and Garland aren’t an ideal pairing. To be sure, they’re both small guards who can collectively struggle on the defensive end of the floor.
Moreover, the Cavaliers have been missing a defensive wing like Anunoby. He’s one of the very best 3-and-D wings in the NBA. With that said, he’s not as offensively potent as Mitchell. That’s why the Cavaliers are getting more than Anunoby in this deal.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers & Toronto Raptors Updates
Young and Porter could both be meaningful additions to this rotation. More importantly, Cleveland is receiving a pair of unprotected first-round picks here. That’s key for the Cavaliers here. After all, they gave up a lot of draft capital to land Mitchell. Now, they’ve just got to convince Ujiri to make a deal.
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