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.