Rumors linking Cleveland Cavaliers star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell to the Los Angeles Lakers have been going around for some time. It is not going to go away anytime soon either, especially with the offseason just around the corner.
Interesting Los Angeles Lakers package proposal in potential Donovan Mitchell trade
In a recent article on Bleacher Report, Grant Hughes brought up the idea of the Lakers acquiring Mitchell from the Cavs in exchange for an intriguing package that includes “e: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino, first-round picks in 2029 and 2031, swap rights on 2026 first-round pick.”
Reaves has been a fan favorite among Lakers supporters, but the same fans would most likely agree with the split if it meant getting an elite weapon in Mitchell, who is sest to earn $35.410 million in the 2024-25 NBA season.
The Cavs might not find many better offers if they shop around, as potential acquiring teams wouldn’t have any assurances of keeping Mitchell beyond the 2024-25 season. Framed that way, a pair of future firsts, swap rights on another and useful young players might be the best they can hope for.
Obviously, the Lakers aren’t in this for a rental, either. The deal hinges on L.A. having a very strong belief in Mitchell re-signing for the long haul.
With LeBron James entering his age-40 season next year, it wouldn’t be hard to sell Mitchell on a very near future in which he and Anthony Davis lead the celebrated franchise to glory after James retires.
Mitchell is a proven asset and he’s someone most general managers in the NBA would love to have on their team, especially if he’d show commitment to sign a long-term deal in the summer.
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