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Five Non-Damian Lillard stars the Miami Heat could target next

By Wes Goldberg

Mar 29, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) talks with Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) talks with Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 21, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) controls the ball against the New York Knicks during the first quarter of game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) controls the ball against the New York Knicks during the first quarter of game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Donovan Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell has a player option in 2026 and there’s growing skeptisicm around the league that he will re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps recently said on a podcast that he would be surprised if Mitchell signed another contract to remain in Cleveland.

“I don’t think there’s any chance he signs an extension there ever,” Bontemps said on an episode of the Hoop Collective podcast. “And if it was up to me, I would trade Donovan Mitchell today, because I don’t the Cavs are getting as far as they hope to next year, I don’t think he’s going to extend and I think they’ll get a lot more for him with two summers left than they would with one summer left.”

While the Cavs won’t be exploring trading Mitchell any time soon after making the playoffs, a disappointing season could raise questions about their future. There are also unanswered questions about Mitchell’s fit with Darius Garland and, if Mitchell is a flight risk, the Cavs could consider trading him next summer for players who fit better around Garland and big man Evan Mobley.

If the Cavs got to that point, the Heat are a logical trade partner. They explored a deal for Mitchell when he was traded from the Utah Jazz last summer, and Mitchell’s close friendship with Adebayo could give them an inside track on a deal.

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