Bringing you the latest NBA trade rumors, including the Cavaliers, Knicks, Raptors, and more!
The Latest Donovan Mitchell Rumblings
During an appearance on ESPN Cleveland, Brian Windhorst addressed the Donovan Mitchell trade rumblings.
The Cavaliers are not talking with other teams about Mitchell trades “for now,” Windhorst claims while being clear that it’s something they have discussed and considered internally.
"Pretending like Donovan Mitchell may be being traded is not a story, not possible, not a discussion at all, that would be burying your head in the sand," – @WindhorstESPN on the league wide narratives about Donovan Mitchell.
WATCH: https://t.co/yy2qzMvils pic.twitter.com/KFqCYFOgO7
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) December 20, 2023
Windhorst believes that Cleveland should push through the season and try to compete with Mitchell, waiting to evaluate trades until the offseason. However, he’s also heard from a lot of people around the league, that the best strategy for the franchise would be to evaluate offers ahead of the deadline.
Mitchell can become a free agent during the summer of 2025 if he turns down his $37.1 million player option.
Mitchell To The Southwest Division?
During another podcast appearance this week, Windhorst indicated that the Knicks and Nets were to be considered the front runners for Mitchell and the Heat and “at least two other teams” in the Southwest Division would also be in the running if and when the Cavaliers begin trade talks (h/t Nets Daily).
Here’s a quick reminder of which teams are in the Southwest Division:
- Dallas Mavericks
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Utah Jazz
- New Orleans Pelicans
- San Antonio Spurs
Having already been traded from Utah, it’s probably safe to assume that the Jazz are not going to trade for Mitchell.
The Timberwolves, Mavericks, and Pelicans are each looking to contend at the moment, so adding Mitchell would no doubt make sense for each of the three.
There’s a Mitchell-Spurs connection with Gregg Popovich coaching him during Team USA’s FIBA run in 2019, though San Antonio’s timeline with 19-year-old Victor Wembanyama does not appear to be a match with the 27-year-old. Plus, the Spurs don’t exactly have many “win-now” assets, which is presumably what the Cavaliers would prefer if they are set on building around Darius Garland and Evan Mobley.
The Right Trade For New York?
While the rumblings that Mitchell could be moving on from Cleveland have persisted for quite some time, rumors that the Knicks could be a landing spot for the All-Star guard have lingered even longer.
As Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo recently discussed, Mitchell might not be the right piece to elevate the team up a tier in the league’s standings. Simmons argues that the Knicks are lacking size and alludes to the frontcourt being a more concerning area should they make a major trade before the deadline.
Should the Knicks still consider trading for Donovan Mitchell?@BillSimmons and @ryenarussillo discuss: pic.twitter.com/gUXqFuaL4I
— The Ringer (@ringer) December 20, 2023
More NBA Trade Rumors
- The Hawks and Raptors “held serious discussions” about trades that would send Pascal Siakam to Atlanta. Executives around the league believe Toronto will be willing to move either Siakam or OG Anunoby.
- The Kings are a team to watch concerning a Siakam trade and the Raptors would eye Keegan Murray in a potential deal.
- The Bulls looked to the Cavs’ roster as they dangled Zach LaVine in trade discussions, hoping to extract Darius Garland for the one-time All-Star.
- 81 NBA players, including five Cavaliers, became trade-eligible on Friday.
- Could P.J. Tucker be a buyout or trade option for Cleveland? We examined his fit as part of our NBA Odds & Ends earlier last week.
