Cavaliers trade idea swaps Donavan Mitchell for $48 million ex-Warriors NBA champion forward

Cavaliers trade idea swaps Donavan Mitchell for $48 million ex-Warriors NBA champion forward originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Cleveland Cavaliers dropped the ball in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, and it appears they may be unable to recover.

The franchise held a commanding 22-point lead over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden with under eight minutes to play, but was thoroughly outplayed and outcoached down the stretch. The final result was a depressing 115-104 overtime loss and an early 1-0 deficit in the series. Cleveland’s 109-93 loss in Game 2 indicates the organization has yet to bounce back from its wildly disappointing series-opening collapse, which could ultimately lead to its demise.

Although an Eastern Conference Finals appearance should be deemed a successful campaign for the Cavaliers, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley believes a blockbuster trade involving their star guard, Donovan Mitchell, could be in the cards this summer. Specifically, Buckley predicts the Cavaliers could swap Mitchell for a former Golden State Warriors NBA champion forward. “The Cavaliers won't look to move Mitchell unless he forces the issue, but if he does, this could be a way to facilitate his exit,” Buckley wrote Thursday.

“The (Atlanta) Hawks need a go-to option in the half court, and they showed enough growth this season to feel like they'll be good enough quickly enough to capitalize on the remainder of Mitchell's prime. ” “Even with possible need-fillers on the board (like Brown), a trade would be the fastest remedy to this problem. On the other end, a Mitchell trade likely shifts Cleveland towards a refresh around Evan Mobley.