3 Trades the Miami Heat can offer to go all-in on Donovan Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell is the hot name on the trade market, and several fanbases are already building fake trades to get the All-Star scorer on their team. He’s the No. 3 trending player on Fanspo’s trade machine, behind the reportedly available Lauri Markkanen and the perennially fake-traded OG Anunoby.

For an in-depth breakdown on why the Heat should or shouldn’t trade for Mitchell, check out this piece here. 

But since we’re all building fake trades, let’s take a look at three ways the Heat could go all-in for Mitchell.

1. Tyler Herro for Donovan Mitchell

Why the Heat do it: The Heat would be swapping Herro, a young player they are high on having a career season, for Mitchell, a four-time All-Star averaging 28 points per game since joining the Cavs. Herro is a good player, but Mitchell is among the best scorers in the game. Miami makes this move to raise its ceiling, at the cost of Herro, a skilled prospect in Nikola Jovic and two future firsts.

Why the Cavs do it: You could argue that Herro is a better fit in Cleveland than Mitchell. He can play without the ball as a catch-and-shoot ace next to Darius Garland and help space the floor for Evan Mobley. He’s also a better team defender than Mitchell and, most importantly, is under contract on a team-friendly deal while Mitchell can become a free agent after next season. Also, Herro (23 years old) is closer in age to Garland (23) and Mobley (22) than Mitchell (27). 

Verdict: This is the most simple way to get Mitchell to Miami and for the Cavaliers to get players who help now (Herro, Caleb Martin) and assets to help build around their stars on the right timeline.