Donovan Mitchell Rumors: Lakers Will Be Among Top Trade Suitors if Cavs Explore Talks

The Cleveland Cavaliers are facing a crucial decision regarding the future of star guard Donovan Mitchell this offseason, and it sounds like the Los Angeles Lakers are lurking in hopes of landing him in a trade.

Jason Lloyd of The Athletic wrote: "If Mitchell doesn't sign an extension with Cleveland this summer, the Cavs will have to explore trade options—and one of the teams standing at the front of the line will be the Lakers. It's possible, given Mitchell's current condition with his calf, that he has already played his final game in a Cavs jersey."

Mitchell was forced to sit out Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics due to a calf injury. The Cavs went on to suffer a 109-102 loss on their home floor and now face a daunting 3-1 deficit as the series heads back to TD Garden for Game 5 on Wednesday.

Lloyd noted that Mitchell is "hopeful" to return for the matchup, but it "seems unrealistic" to expect him to recover in two days and be ready to play in an elimination game.

The 27-year-old has one year left on his contract and a $37.1 million player option for the 2025-26 season. He is scheduled to make $35.4 million in 2024-25. He's eligible for a four-year extension from the Cavs worth nearly $200 million this summer.

While Mitchell would be a significant addition to a title contender if Cleveland chose to trade him, Lloyd noted that the five-time All-Star's best course could be to take the money due to his history of knee and calf issues.

The Lakers are in the hunt for a superstar this offseason in hopes of maximizing their chances to compete for a title as star forward LeBron James' career winds down. Only time will tell if Mitchell will be made available this summer, but it seems like Los Angeles will be ready to pounce on potential deals that would add a player of his caliber.