Insider: Cavaliers May Be “Forced” to Trade Donovan Mitchell

The Cleveland Cavaliers certainly want to keep Donovan Mitchell, but what we don't know yet is does Mitchell want to stay in Cleveland? Now, NBA insider Marc Stein is reporting that if Spida, who has one year left on his contract after this one, does not agree to an extension, they would be "forced" to trade him. 

The Cavs may be forced to trade Donovan Mitchell if he doesn’t agree to an extension this summer, per @TheSteinLine

“Mitchell will be entering the final guaranteed year of his current contract next season if there’s no extension, leading to a growing belief among rival teams… pic.twitter.com/ejQDPlMVls

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 11, 2024

“Mitchell will be entering the final guaranteed year of his current contract next season if there’s no extension, leading to a growing belief among rival teams that the Cavaliers will be forced to trade Mitchell in coming months if they cannot come to terms with him an extension," wrote Stein in his latest rumor roundup.

As for Mitchell, he hasn't seemed like himself lately, until Cleveland's most recent game, when he eclipsed the 20-point mark for only the third time since the All-Star break. He definitely looked healthier and more explosive. And as noted by Cavs beat writer Chris Fedor, Spida is the "barometer & heartbeat" of the Cavaliers.

Cleveland is in a wild scrap to maintain home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, as just one game separates themselves, the Indiana Pacers and the Orlando Magic in that battle for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, with just two games to play.

On the season, Mitchell is averaging 26.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 54 games. The five-time All-Star has missed over 25 games, however, with a series of injuries.

Photo: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports