The Cavaliers‘ trade for Donovan Mitchell seemingly came out of nowhere, though the abrupt move could be the best-case scenario for many parties involved.
Collin Sexton may be chief among the beneficiaries as well, as Joe Vardon of The Athletic details. The combo guard received a $72 million contract as part of his move and that kind of deal likely didn’t make sense for Cleveland. In Utah, however, he’ll have a place to continue to grow his game under his new pact.
Meanwhile, Cleveland should probably be considered the biggest winner of the move, as Mitchell is the type of player who significantly raises a team’s ceiling. The Cavs are +3250 to win the NBA championship this year (via fubo Sportsbook), which is now the sixth-best mark in the Eastern Conference.
More NBA Buzz
- Patrick Beverley‘s arrival in Los Angeles may indicate that Russell Westbrook could be on his way out. Yet, coach Lakers Darvin Ham explains that the two point guards could be paired together on the court even with Westbrook locked into the starting lineup. “If they play defense,” Ham said (h/t ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk). “…People get caught up in the starting lineups a lot, but you look at who is finishing games. Those starters, they’re out there to set that tone for the entire team throughout the game. But, I’m not scared of that. It’s definitely a bullet in the chamber. We’re looking forward to it man, those guys in the backcourt together.”
- The Sixers brought in Montrezl Harrell on a two-year deal and we examined the team’s projected rotation after the latest former Rocket addition by Daryl Morey & Co.
- Markieff Morris‘ deal with the Nets is official, per a Brooklyn press release. The forward, who spent last season in Miami, will play this year under a one-year contract. Once he suits up for Brooklyn, Morris will have played for seven different NBA franchises.
