One NBA author proposed that the Los Angeles Lakers acquire Donovan Mitchell from the Cleveland Cavaliers this summertime. 

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade concept in between the Lakers and Cavaliers:

The Deal: Donovan Mitchell for Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2029 first-round choice, a 2030 first-round choice swap and a 2031 first-round choice

The Lakers have an interest in trading for Mitchell, who is extension-eligible this offseason.

Mitchell can sign an extension for approximately 4 years and around $200 million this summertime. He has a gamer alternative worth $37 million for the 2025-26 season.

One of the leading scorers in the NBA, Mitchell can end up being an unlimited totally free representative in the summertime of 2025 if he decreases his 2025-26 gamer alternative. 

According to NBA expert Marc Stein, there is a growing belief that the Cavaliers will be required to trade Mitchell if an extension isn’t reached this summertime. 

The Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, have actually lost to the Denver Nuggets in back-to-back playoffs. Mitchell might be the missing out on piece Los Angeles requires to win another champion in the LeBron-Davis period. 

“Turning multiple role players into Mitchell would crack L.A.’s title window open just a bit more while also laying a foundation for the post-LeBron era,” Bailey composed. “A one-two punch with Mitchell and AD, assuming it’s surrounded by a decent supporting cast, could keep the Lakers in contention for the next half-decade.”

Mitchell balanced 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 helps for the Cavaliers this season while shooting 46.2% from the field, 36.8% from beyond the arc and 86.5% from the free-throw line. 

A five-time All-Star, Mitchell has profession averages of 24.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.6 helps with the Utah Jazz and Cavaliers. He scored a career-high 71 points last season versus the Chicago Bulls. 

“The writing seems to be on the wall for Mitchell’s eventual departure,” Bailey composed. “If he won’t sign beyond the 2024-25 season, Cleveland needs to get something for him. And lots of groups can provide more draft capital than L.A. can. Those who can pay for to quit a lot would have the exact same predicament as the Cavs, however. If a group like the Thunder or New Orleans Pelicans obtained Mitchell, they’d most likely simply be viewing the clock till his agreement ends, too.

“If Mitchell’s desire for a big market suppresses his value a bit, the Lakers’ ability to send multiple picks, two players who can help right now and a prospect is at least intriguing. And though losing Mitchell would probably mean Cleveland was taking a half step away from contention, there’s a chance this trade could bring a little more balance to the roster. The backcourt wouldn’t be quite as small with Reaves, and Hachimura could provide some spacing for a frontcourt that desperately needs it.”

Reaves balanced 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.5 helps for the Lakers this season while shooting 48.6% from the flooring, 36.7% from beyond the arc and 85.3% from the free-throw line. He played in all 82 video games. 

Meanwhile, Hachimura balanced 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 helps while shooting 53.7% from the field, 42.2% from 3 and 73.9% from the nasty line. 

The Lakers lost to the Nuggets in the preliminary of the playoffs, while the Boston Celtics removed the Cavaliers in the 2nd round.