Cavaliers Could Begin Roster Rebuild With Donovan Mitchell Draft Trade
The Cleveland Cavaliers could trade their All-Star Donovan Mitchell for multiple players and a high draft pick in a roster reset.
After a second consecutive loss to the New York Knicks, Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves in a disappointing 0-2 deficit in the Eastern Conference Finals as they head back home for Game 3. Mitchell, who has been the team’s driving force throughout the season, again led his team’s Game 2 scoring effort, finishing with 26 points on his 8-of-18 shots from the field and 8-of-9 free throws. Several days ago, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst reported that the Cavaliers are getting ready for what could be a “franchise-altering financial decision” involving a potential four-year extension for Mitchell worth up to $272 million this offseason.
Mitchell currently has a $50 million salary for the 2026-27 season, along with a $54 million player option for 2027-28. However, it would be a smart business move for Mitchell not to sign an extension and wait a year for a significantly bigger deal, which would also make him an unrestricted free agent. More news: Charles Barkley Calls on Adam Silver to Make Changes to Playoffs Schedule DETROIT, MICHIGAN – MAY 17: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons in Game Seven of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 17, 2026, in Detroit, Michigan.
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) Mitchell knows he can wait until 2027, when he officially has 10 years in the NBA , to become eligible for a five-year supermax contract worth close to $350 million. With the Cavaliers facing this financial decision and the uncertainty it brings, they might consider rebuilding their roster with young talent by trading Mitchell before he leaves without the team receiving anything in return. According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley , the Cavs could pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade to acquire the eighth pick in June’s NBA Draft from the Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans Pelicans).
The trade would involve Mitchell going to the Hawks, with the Cavaliers also receiving Zaccharie Risacher, Onyeka Okongwu, Jonathan Kuminga (via sign-and-trade), a 2028 first-round pick (via ATL, CLE, or UTA), and a 2030 first-round pick swap. With that No. 8 pick, Buckley suggests Cleveland would select Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr.