Trade Proposal Sends Nets’ Mikal Bridges To Cavaliers

One NBA writer proposed that the Cleveland Cavaliers acquire Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets this summer. 

Fran Leiva of Fadeaway World proposed the following trade idea between the Cavaliers and Nets:

Potential Trade Offer for Mikal Bridges: Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro, 2031 first-round pick

Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the Nets this season while shooting 43.6% from the field, 37.2% from beyond the arc and 81.4% from the free-throw line. He’ll make $23.3 million next season. 

“For the Cavaliers, acquiring a player like Bridges could significantly enhance their lineup,” Leiva wrote. “Bridges offers not just scoring ability but also excellent perimeter defense, which would be invaluable alongside Donovan Mitchell. Integrating Bridges could help balance the Cavaliers’ offensive and defensive capabilities, potentially making them a more formidable opponent in the playoffs.”

Bridges has career averages of 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists with the Phoenix Suns and Nets. He was the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. 

The Cavaliers are down 3-1 to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2024 playoffs. The team clearly needs more talent around Mitchell to compete for a title. 

Mitchell can sign an extension for up to four years and around $200 million this summer. He has a player option worth $37 million for the 2025-26 season.

One of the best scorers in the NBA, Mitchell can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025 if he declines his 2025-26 player option, and according to NBA insider Marc Stein, there is a growing belief that the Cavaliers will be forced to trade Mitchell if an extension isn’t reached.

“As discussed here on multiple occasions, Mitchell will be entering the final guaranteed year of his current contract next season if there’s no extension, leading to a growing belief among rival teams that the Cavaliers will be forced to trade Mitchell in coming months if they cannot come to terms with him an extension,” Stein wrote. 

Mitchell could sign an extension with the Cavaliers if Cleveland’s front office acquired Bridges.