Rockets Monitoring, ‘Maintaining Interest’ In Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell

The Houston Rockets are among the many rival teams that are monitoring the situation involving Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell, per NBA insider Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

Mitchell, 27, is eligible for a contract extension this summer. If he doesn’t sign one, many believe the Cavs will be forced to trade him. So not surprisingly, in that event, everyone would have an interest. And we can now add the Rockets to the list.

Houston is coming off a year on the rise under coach Ime Udoka, falling just short of the Western Conferenceplay-in tournament despite a late-season surge. If the Cavs do feel the need to trade Mitchell, the Rockets would indeed have plenty of assets to offer.

But we’re not expected to go down that road, as multiple league sources have said they believe Mitchell will sign a maximum contract extension with Cleveland.

The Cavs too are said to be optimistic that Mitchell intends to stick around, as we relayed here.

In his second season with the Cavs, Mitchell averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists while shooting 46.2 percent from the field, 36.8 percent on 3-pointers and 86.5 percent on free throws.

The playoffs were more of the same, as he erupted for 50 points in a Game 6 loss to the Orlando Magic in the first round. The Cavs narrowly escaped that matchup before losing to the Boston Celtics in five games in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Mitchell missed the final two games of the Celtics series with a calf injury.

Nonetheless, he reportedly is “happy” with the Cavs and very well could take the money and remain in Cleveland. But just in case, the Rockets are said to be ready.