Report: Lakers, Nets, Heat, Rockets, Grizzlies Linked To Donovan Mitchell Trade With Cavaliers

According to NBA insider Evan Dammarell of Right Down Euclid, the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies have been linked to a Donovan Mitchell trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

If Mitchell doesn’t sign an extension this summer, the Cavaliers may have to trade him so they don’t lose him for nothing. Mitchell has a player option worth $37 million for the 2025-26 season.

“If Mitchell doesn’t think the Cavaliers will help him fulfill his ambitions, multiple league sources have confirmed with Right Down Euclid the initial reporting that Cleveland will begin entertaining trade offers for him, something they haven’t done since acquiring him from the Jazz nearly two years ago,” Dammarell wrote. “Those same sources have confirmed separate reports that the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, and Miami Heat are interested in acquiring Mitchell if he becomes available.

“However, a separate source shared that the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies could also be teams worth monitoring in a possible Mitchell sweepstakes.”

Mitchell appeared in 55 games during the 2023-24 regular season. He averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists while shooting 46.2% from the field, 36.8% from 3 and 86.5% from the free-throw line. 

One of the best scorers in the NBA, Mitchell has career averages of 24.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists with the Utah Jazz and Cavaliers. He scored a career-high 71 points last season against the Chicago Bulls.

The Cavaliers lost to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2023 playoffs. They beat the Orlando Magic in the first round of this year’s postseason but lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round. 

Mitchell doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. He told NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN that he’s “happy in Cleveland.”

Woj talked to Donovan Mitchell:

“He is not disgruntled with anyone or anything in Cleveland. In fact, he said to me, “I am happy in Cleveland”—- he emphasized “I am not leaving this season unhappy, I am leaving it more determined.””

The decision awaits. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/aKfdPhH3ru

— Dylan🔮🪼 (@dillybar2145) May 17, 2024

According to NBA insiders Shams Charania, Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, there is a growing sentiment around the league that the Cavaliers will be able to position themselves to receive Mitchell’s commitment for a lucrative contract extension that would keep him in Cleveland past his 30th birthday.