Cleveland, OH
NBA Exec: Donovan Mitchell Trade Rumors 'Very Real' Ahead of Cavs' 2024 Playoffs
Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images
Donovan Mitchell has been involved in trade rumors for much of the last three seasons, and those trade rumors haven’t stopped as the Cleveland Cavaliers prepare for a playoff run.
Per The Athletic’s Josh Robbins and Sam Amick, an anonymous NBA executive said the trade situation around Mitchell “is very real” and that teams will pursue him as soon as the offseason begins.
“That (Mitchell situation) is very real,” the executive said. “Teams will definitely clear out a bunch of (assets) for him. We’ll see. But if they face Boston in the second round, they’ll probably lose. And yeah, that doesn’t bode well (for his future in Cleveland).”
The Cavaliers begin their first-round matchup with the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
Though Mitchell seems integral for the Cavaliers to find success in the post-LeBron James era, the team could look in a different direction depending on how this postseason goes. The New York Knicks ended Cleveland’s season in five games in the first round a year ago, and the pressure is on to get past the first round this year.
The Cavs have a manageable opponent in the Magic, but it’s hard to imagine them making it past the second round as they’ll likely run into the top-seeded Boston Celtics.
This season, Mitchell is averaging 26.6 points, 6.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game—career-highs in assists and rebounds. The backcourt of Mitchell and Darius Garland combined with a solid frontcourt duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley has thrived this year and should be enough to defeat a young Orlando team in the first round.
Mitchell is under contract through the next two seasons and will become a free agent in 2026, but based on the outlook from an NBA executive, he could be on his way out of Cleveland before then.
Mitchell is a valuable asset and is in the middle of his prime, so any trade that pulls him away from the Cavaliers would likely have to yield a big return.
Hanford Dixon’s legacy continues to grow.
On Monday, June 29, it was announced by the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame that Cleveland Browns legend Hanford Dixon will be part of the 2026 induction class. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hall of Fame.
Dixon will be formally inducted in September, with the full class and ceremony details expected to be released in the coming weeks.
🏈 The first of a MEMORABLE class!
Welcome to the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame, Hanford Dixon! pic.twitter.com/fNsydaXHxV
— Greater Cleveland Sports HOF (@GCLESPORTSHOF) June 29, 2026
Before the news was made public, the 67-year-old was surprised by Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame President Bob DiBiasio and Vice President John Telich, who informed him of the announcement just before he was set to record a show on the BIGPLAY Sports Network.
“I am a man of many words. I can always find something to say,” Dixon began. “But I just want to tell you guys, thank you. This means a lot to me from the bottom of my heart because you guys know, old country boy coming from a little small town outside of Mobile in Alabama.
“I decided to stay here in Cleveland and make Cleveland my home, so I tell you how much Cleveland means to me.”
DiBiasio went on to share that making Cleveland your home is one of the many criteria that allows individuals to be inducted into The Hall.
“You mentioned that you made Cleveland your home,” he said. “That’s one of the criteria to be in the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame. It’s a nine-county region, and you either had to be born or raised in Cleveland, the Greater Cleveland area, or made Cleveland your home after your career, which you did, and you are a perfect example of that.
“You made Cleveland your home, and you are so deserving.”
After being selected by the Browns with the 22nd overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft out of the University of Southern Mississippi, he would go on to play nine seasons. Dixon was a lockdown defender for the Browns, snagging 26 interceptions across 131 games played.
Selected to three Pro Bowls and named an All-Pro twice, Dixon was one of the bright spots for an era of Cleveland football that saw the team reach the playoffs six times. He would team up with Frank Minnifield, helping form one of football’s best duos in the history of the sport. He is also credited with helping to create and name the iconic “Dawg Pound” identity.
He retired after the 1989 campaign, going on to stay active in the community and media space.
He has worked with WOIO-TV 19 and Fox Sports Ohio, covering high school football, and also the BIGPLAY Sports Network, where he currently hosts a show called BIGPLAY Cleveland Live, covering Cleveland’s professional sports organizations.
“Such a fun thing for us to be able to sneak in here before your show, and share the wonderful news,” DiBiasio concluded. “We can’t be more happy for you to join. We are in our 50th year… it is one of Cleveland’s best kept secrets.”
Breaking: #Browns legend Hanford Dixon will be inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 2026 class.#DawgPound
— Cade Cracas (@CracasCade) June 29, 2026
Earlier this year, Dixon was also presented with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the 26th Greater Cleveland Sports Awards back on Feb. 5. Such an honor highlighted the play he had put on the field back in the 80’s, and the work he had done in the community following his playing career.
Now, just a few months removed, Dixon will receive yet another prestigious honor from the city he has dedicated his life to.
“I came here, and I just love the city, love the people, now you can’t get rid of me,” Dixon said when receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award earlier. “I’m still here…”
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Cleveland, OH
E. 9th Street exit to close Monday, affecting downtown Cleveland commuters through late October
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is preparing to close a ramp into downtown Cleveland that will be a major disruption for the rest of the summer.
19 News spoke with Jacob McCullough, who lives downtown. He said he will now have to give himself much more time for travel.
“Anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes,” McCullough said.
Nathaniel Birach drives into downtown every week from Vermilion and uses the E 9th Street exit.
“On busy weekends it already takes 20 minutes to get through the city,” Birach said. “Having to go 2 exits over potentially is going to be another 20 minutes are so on both ends”
On June 29, the eastbound exit to E. 9th St. will close and is not scheduled to reopen until late October.
According to a spokesperson, ODOT was informed by the contractor earlier this month of the closure, and the work is for the new ramp and a new bridge support pier.
All of this work is a part of the Cleveland Innerbelt Modernization Plan.
ODOT is suggesting a detour of exiting on Ontario, then a right on Carnegie to E. 9th St.
This closure will have major impacts on morning commuters trying to get into downtown, as well as ballgame traffic for the Guardians, and any events at Rocket Fieldhouse.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland EMS responded to a fatal crash early Sunday morning.
According to EMS, the accident was at I-71 N and W 130th Street.
When crews arrived, they pronounced a 28-year-old man dead at the scene.
A 35-year-old man was taken to Fairview Hospital in stable condition, EMS said.
Two other men, ages 18 and 21, were also at the scene but declined medical transport.
19 News has made call outs to Cleveland Police on more information on the accident.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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