NBA Rumors: 2 Frontrunners Emerge in Impending Donovan Mitchell Pursuit

Although the New York Knicks didn’t completely empty the cupboard in their recent trade to acquire OG Anunoby, losing Immanuel quickly and RJ Barrett certainly takes a big chunk out of their asset pool that they could’ve used to pursue Donovan Mitchell. With that, observers around the NBA have pegged two teams now as the frontrunners to land Spida if (when?) the Cleveland Cavaliers eventually decide to make a move. 

From @TheSteinLine:

“Initial indications are that the Knicks do not intend to mount an all-out pursuit of Donovan Mitchell.”

With the Knicks appearing to be out, the Nets and Heat should be the front runners when the Mitchell sweepstakes begin. https://t.co/z4gKMYKB4y

— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) January 2, 2024

The team with the most assets, and also a desire to land Mitchell, seems to be the Brooklyn Nets. They acquired all sorts of draft capital and young pieces in their Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving trades of last season, and they’ve been hoarding them, ready to pounce on the next available superstar.

In addition, the Miami Heat are looked at as a prime suitor for Mitchell as well. 

The Miami Heat have had their eyes on Donovan Mitchell, per @JeffZillgitt

“The Heat have been looking for a combo guard and have long had their eyes on Mitchell.”

(Via https://t.co/B6BHLyYSK1) pic.twitter.com/WeDSCdGi7F

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 3, 2024

According to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, “The Heat have been looking for a combo guard and have long had their eyes on Mitchell.”

Bill Simmons agrees: “[The Miami Heat are] the sleeping giant for a Donovan Mitchell trade.”

Certainly, the Heat backcourt has seen better days. Kyle Lowry is at the very tail end of his career, while Gabe Vincent is now plying his trade with the Los Angeles Lakers (when he’s not injured).

Adding an All-Star scorer like Mitchell would be massive for Miami, and take all sorts of pressure off of Jimmy Butler to do it all himself at the offensive end of the court.

Spida is due to become a free agent in the summer of 2025… It's expected that if the Cavs aren’t able to sign him to an extension this coming off-season, the Trade Sweepstakes would begin. 

Photo: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports