As the Los Angeles Lakers look around the league for the right star to place beside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell needs to be near the top of their list.
This isn’t just because, like James, Mitchell has been putting the Cavs on his back the last two seasons. However, the five-time All-Star is in Cleveland, preparing to lead the Cavs against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Cleveland will only have made it that far because Mitchell carried them in Game 7 during their First Round series against the Orlando Magic.
With the Cavs down big at halftime, Mitchell scored 24 points on 8-14 shooting from the field in the final two quarters. He scored 17 points in the third quarter, coming out of the locker rooms like a man possessed. Because of him, the Cavs have won a playoff series without James for the first time since 1993.
Ironically, it took him becoming the only Cavs player besides James to score 30-plus points in a Game 7 to achieve that feat.
That’s the type of player the Lakers should be prioritizing this offseason.
They need Mitchell, an elite go-to scorer and event creator who routinely carries teams to the playoffs.
What Would It Take?
Until Mitchell agrees to a contract extension with the Cavs, he’s likely available for the right price.
Mitchell will enter free agency as early as next summer. The 27-year-old has a player option on his contract for the 2025-26 season that he and Cleveland could let play out before making a long-term commitment to one another. However, Cavs general manager Koby Altman has shown an extreme reluctance to let their more players leave in free agency for nothing. Indeed, rather than let Lauri Markkanen or Collin Sexton leave in free agency in 2022, he traded them for Mitchell. The Cavs also traded five first round picks. With Markkanen (23.2) and Sexton (21.1) averaging a combined 44.3 points per game as starters in 2023-24, it’s difficult to say who won the trade, even with the Cavs making it to the playoffs the last two seasons.
The same might be said of whatever deal they make involving Mitchell. Altman is also responsible for trading Jordan Clarkson for Dante Exum and a pair of second-round picks in 2019. Clarkson would end up winning Sixth Man of the Year the next season. Exum would play 30 forgettable games with the Cavs. One of their second-round picks, turning into Emoni Bates, who they signed to a two-way contract. That said, compared to a lead executive like Philadelphia 76ers guard Daryl Morey, Altman isn’t driving a hard bargain.
That bodes well for the Lakers, who don’t have much to offer.
They Still Have Make a Strong Offer
Though their cupboard of assets is a bit bare, L.A. should be willing to give up anything short of James and Davis for Mitchell. As a result, fan favorite Austin Reaves and former lottery pick Rui Hachimura would likely head to Cleveland. The first-rounders that they would be allowed to trade in 2025, 2028, and 2030 will as well.
Yet, even this may not be enough for the Cavs, as Mitchell has averaged 27.5 points, 5.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in Cleveland. In what was their first First Round victory in 21 years, he averaged 28.7 points per game on 45.9 percent shooting from the field.
Compare that any of tertiary scorers that the Lakers have offered James and Davis since they were acquired and.. well.. there is no comparison.
Had D’Angelo Russell’s playoff demons not resurfaced, he may have been able to fetch a first. Because they did, L.A. may need to explore a separate deal for Jarred Vanderbilt. That is, if the Cavs don’t want him themselves. Despite his injury ravaged season, Vanderbilt’s defense in the second unit would be a significant upgrade over Georges Niang.
Cleveland should be able to acquire the services of a player like New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram or Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma with two or three first round picks. However, they may able to get both between the ones they receive and those they already have. That’s a great way to re-up on a player that could leave them as a free agent.
Just Donovan Mitchell?
Getting Mitchell period is more important to the Lakers than getting an additional player or asset. However, it’s common for second-round picks and end-of-bench players to be moved in blockbuster deals. For L.A., this helps them round out their depth.
A few free agents could take discounts to play for the Lakers. The arrival of Mitchell comes with renewed belief in their chances of winning a championship. It may even extend their window given Mitchell’s youth and prowess.
Nonetheless, the team will have most of their salary tied up in their Big 3. As the most recent CBA more restrictive than ever, they’ll be limited to minimum contracts and marginal moves to build around them. This increases the value of adding even a castoff to the roster.
In this case, that could lead to the Lakers trading for Sam Merrill, who will become a free agent next season. Entering the season with little praise, Merrill is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. Averaging 8.0 points on 40.4 percent shooting from 3, James will love throwing darts to the sharpshooter.
Forced out of Cleveland’s rotation due to their pre-established depth, Merrill averaged 12.4 points in 22.9 minutes per game in January while the Cavs were hit by injuries. He shot 42.7 percent from 3.
