Report: Many NBA Execs Thought Donovan Mitchell Would Request Trade From Cavaliers

According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, many NBA executives thought Donovan Mitchell would request a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason. 

Mitchell, who was traded from the Utah Jazz to the Cavaliers in 2022, is expected to sign a four-year, $209 million extension with Cleveland this offseason. 

“Many competing executives expected this year’s Damian Lillard to be Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland,” Pincus wrote. “Surely, they thought he’d demand a trade to one of the New York teams, Miami or Los Angeles. So far, nothing (if anything, the opposite), as the Cavaliers have expressed confidence to other teams that Mitchell will extend with them. Unlike the aforementioned pending free agents, he is under contract for 2024-25 but has a player option for 2025-26. It’s too early for a proper negotiation, but not for a player to go public with a trade demand (willing to pay any fine the NBA may levy).”

The Cavaliers lost to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games. They defeated the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in seven games but lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round in five games. 

One of the top scorers in the NBA, Mitchell is averaging 27.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Cavaliers. 

According to NBA insider Matt Moore of The Action Network, Mitchell’s new deal with the Cavaliers will have a player option.

“Donovan Mitchell’s (likely, almost definitely) staying (probably),” Moore wrote. “The word in NBA circles is that Mitchell will re-sign with the Cavaliers, a major coup for Koby Altman and the Cavs’ front office. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype was the first to report the significant element, that Mitchell will sign a deal that takes him through three seasons, allowing him to enter free agency after 10 years of service, which will bump his pay structure. There’s a belief the deal will have a player option for Mitchell in the fourth year to protect Mitchell and maximize flexibility.”

The Cavaliers hired Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach. Mitchell, 27, signed off on the hire, sources told Hoops Wire. 

Cleveland won 48 games in 2023-24. Mitchell averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.5 blocks in 55 games.