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Donovan Mitchell Trade Rumors: Heat a 'Team to Watch' After Eyeing Cavs SG for Years
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The Cleveland Cavaliers’ season ended on Wednesday, and they now face an offseason full of questions.
One of the biggest questions is about star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, who has been involved in trade rumors before the season even finished.
Of the teams that could add a star this offseason by trading for the 27-year-old, ESPN’s Zach Lowe believes the Miami Heat is one of the teams to watch.
“Miami, to me, is the other team to watch,” he said. “They’re always hunting around, they’ve been connected with Mitchell over the years. They’re lurking and they have a lot of stuff to offer in terms of picks and young players.”
Mitchell, who just wrapped up his second season in Cleveland, averaged 26.6 points, 6.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game this year.
He helped lead the Cavs to their first playoff series win since the LeBron James era, though they couldn’t get past the Boston Celtics in the second round with Mitchell sidelined for Games 4 and 5.
While the five-time All-Star found success during his first two years in Cleveland, he could be on his way out this summer.
Along with the Heat, the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets are among the early teams linked to Mitchell. On Wednesday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that the two teams “have their offers ready” for Mitchell should the Cavs decide to trade him.
Mitchell’s future remains a question mark this offseason, but it’s far from the only one for Cleveland. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported after the season-ending loss to the Celtics on Wednesday that the Cavaliers “plan to take time to evaluate” head coach JB Bickerstaff’s future.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd also reported that point guard Darius Garland’s representation could be interested in a trade if Mitchell signs a long-term contract extension with Cleveland.
The Cavaliers have taken major strides and emerged as a serious threat in the Eastern Conference for the first time since James left, but things could look very different next year as a big offseason awaits in Cleveland.