Lakers, Nets have trade ‘offers ready’ for Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell with intriguing offseason ahead

With the Cavaliers down 3-1 in their second-round series with the Celtics, the Donovan Mitchell trade speculation has begun even before the team’s season is over.

“There are a number of teams that have their offers ready,” ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said on “Get Up” on Wednesday morning with the Cavaliers playing to keep their season alive Wednesday night against the Celtics.

During the conversation, show contributor Chiney Ogwumike asked Windhorst whether the Lakers are among those vying for Mitchell’s service.

“Absolutely,” Windhorst answered.

Co-host Mike Greenberg questioned whether the Knicks could still be interested in Mitchell’s services , which received some cold water from Windhorst.

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“I don’t think … The Knicks are trying to win this Eastern Conference semifinals, although certainly across the river there in Brooklyn,” Windhorst said.

The Knicks were heavily involved in trade negotiations to bring Mitchell to his home state of New York before he was traded from the Utah Jazz to the Cavaliers before the 2022 season.

But those negotiations went awry, and it’s unclear whether the Knicks will be interested in acquiring another ball-dominant guard alongside star Jalen Brunson.

The Nets are in a rough spot from a team-building perspective, having traded most of their draft capital for James Harden, including what became the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Before Mitchell is made available, though, the Cavaliers will certainly attempt to sign him for a big-time contract extension this offseason.

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Mitchell can opt out of his contract after the 2024-25 season and become an unrestricted free agent.

“I don’t think that Donovan Mitchell will say, ‘I don’t want to be in Cleveland,'” Windhorst said. “So the question is for an ownership, who has lost players like LeBron [James], if Donovan just simply says, ‘I love it here and I’m not going to extend,’ what do they do? Do they roll the dice with this team again? Or do they say, no way we have to take action. And that is a huge potential question coming from June and July.”

Despite the long-term uncertainty, Cavaliers team Governor Dan Gilbert expressed significant optimism that the team will retain Mitchell.

“We’ve been talking to him, sure, for the last couple of years about extending this contract,” Gilbert told the AP. “We think he will extend. I think if you listen to him talk, he loves the city.

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Mitchell seemed non-commital about Glibert’s comments.

“I’ll handle that when it comes. And I understand you have to ask that question. And I’ll give you the same answer,” Mitchell said.

Given the Nets’ draft assets situation, where they don’t control a pick of their own until 2028, it would seem likely that the Nets will attempt to improve their roster by any means necessary, although it’s unclear if they have the trade assets to put together the best package.

A trade to the Nets could include Dorian Finney-Smith, Suns draft picks and perhaps more.

Los Angeles, which is conducting a head coaching search , would seemingly be looking to move at least one of Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell along with the remaining three draft picks they have to trade, including one in 2024.

Mitchell is expected to miss the Cavaliers’ playoff elimination game in Boston on Wednesday.

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