NBA insider Zach Lowe believes that Donovan Mitchell might leave the Cleveland Cavaliers if the team has another early exit from the postseason. Mitchell has played the best basketball of his career since joining the Cavaliers and averages historically great scoring numbers in the NBA Playoffs. However, the team falling short yet again may spell time for a change.
Lowe shared the following thoughts on what he thinks about Mitchell’s future via his podcast:
“It’s a crossroads pick for me also because if they disappoint in the playoffs again, they’ve already traded one of these guys, he’s not like a flight risk anytime soon. I’m not saying that. I’m just saying there just comes a point, you’ve seen it with the Clippers, the Chris Paul, Blake Griffin Clippers where like if you just lose too many times too early in the playoffs for what your pedigree should be, it just starts to go sideways a little bit. And I think Cleveland is kind of nearing that point and Donovan Mitchell, I want to see a deeper playoff run.”
Lowe compared the current Cleveland team to the Los Angeles Clippers team of the 2010s led by Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. The Clippers were supposed to be the next team to contend, but the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets both passed them to end the run.
Not The First Rumor About Mitchell Leaving
One interesting aspect regarding Mitchell’s future is that he only has one guaranteed year left on his contract. Cleveland and other small market teams often look to trade players that are refusing to extend in the fear of losing a superstar for nothing.
Mitchell reportedly is not going to sign an extension unless the Cavaliers get to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time. Another early elimination against their first-round opponent Toronto Raptors or top-seed Detroit Pistons would be a huge failure.
If Mitchell doesn’t sign a new deal, Cleveland trading him is a very realistic scenario. The Cavaliers trading for James Harden gives them a solid backup plan. Harden could easily run an offense with two great bigs of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley getting easy baskets. Mitchell being traded for another great player or young prospects would boost their future.
Cavaliers Still Have Great Chance Of Keeping Mitchell
The main goal for Cleveland is still to contend for an NBA Championship this season. Trading Darius Garland for Harden signaled how pivotal it is for the franchise to win now rather than continuing to repeat the same failures.
A trip to the Eastern Conference Finals is likely enough to get Mitchell to extend his deal and give their “big four” a couple of years together. Mitchell might even re-consider his stance and sign if they get eliminated earlier since this report came out before the Harden trade gave him more help.
Regardless, the ultimate dream scenario for the Cavaliers is to contend this season and keep Mitchell to have a top East team for the foreseeable future. Some fans are also holding out hope on LeBron James returning to retire there and further improve the team next season.
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