Some stars require a big stage. That’s true in the NBA as well. We’ve seen star players throughout history who simply prefer to play in a big market. They’re entitled to that preference.
Sometimes, it can leave smaller market teams in a bind. They want stars too. After all, they’re the most productive players. That’s exactly why the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Donovan Mitchell.
They wanted a star, and Mitchell is one of the best scorers in the league. Yet, it’s rumored that he’d prefer to play in a bigger market.
Teams around the league have an eye on this situation. If Mitchell isn’t happy in Cleveland, a big market team could make a move for him.
Could that big market team be the Brooklyn Nets?
NBA Trade Proposal: Brooklyn Nets Land Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: F Cameron Johnson, F Royce O’Neale, 2025 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2027 First-Round Pick (PHI via BKN), 2029 First-Round Pick (DAL via BKN)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G Donovan Mitchell
On the other hand, the bright lights of that big stage can be blinding. Everyone isn’t built for it. We’ve seen NBA players buckle under the pressure of representing a big market team.
Is that what happened to the Nets’ recent super team? We wouldn’t go that far. Still, the trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving were certainly scrutinized. That could have contributed to their premature downfall.
The loss of Durant and Irving was unfortunate but salvageable – the Nets signed them as free agents, and they got value back for them.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets Updates
On the other hand, they traded seven first-round picks and swaps to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Harden. Now, the Nets don’t have an easy path to rebuilding.
Does that mean they should acquire Mitchell?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
That’s one reason to acquire Mitchell. Here’s another – he’s one of the best guards in the NBA. Mitchell can create his own shot at will. He’s also a capable playmaker.
It just so happens that the Nets could use a player exactly like that. Sure, Cam Thomas has emerged this year. He’s great in his own right. Still, Mitchell would give the Nets a more reliable source of offense.
Mitchell could vault the Nets into real title contention with an elite defensive roster around him. Meanwhile, Johnson and O’Neale are arguably expendable to this team.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets Updates
They’ll still have Mikal Bridges and Dorian Finney-Smith, and they can find another (lesser) 3-and-D wing either in the buyout market or next summer.
Should the Cavaliers help them improve their roster balance?
Why The Cleveland Cavaliers Do The Deal
If the Mitchell rumors aren’t true, the Cavaliers shouldn’t do this deal. If Mitchell is happy in Cleveland, they ought to keep him there. For the sake of discussion, let’s assume that he is pining to play in a bigger market.
Johnson is exactly the type of wing that they need. Sure, they’d prefer to put him alongside Mitchell. Still, even if that isn’t an option, Johnson is a useful player.
He’d be joining a Cavaliers team that features Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen. That core ought to keep the Cavaliers in the playoff hunt. Meanwhile, they’ll have three unprotected firsts to add to that core with.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets Updates
The Cavaliers gave up a lot of draft capital to land Mitchell, but they’d be making most of it up here. They just have to send Mitchell to a bigger market in the process.
