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Ranking Top Donovan Mitchell Trade Packages and Landing Spots
Before the Cleveland Cavaliers start debating about potential runs at Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James or others, they'll need to decide what Donovan Mitchell's future looks like.
Mitchell, 29, is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract. The seven-time All-Star will be eligible to sign a four-year, $272 million extension on July 7, pushing his next five years to $322 million ($64.4 million per season).
The Cavs have to decide:
If the answer to one (or both) of the previous questions is no, the two parties may have to agree to work together to find a trade.
The Cavaliers can't rebuild, however, as they don't own their first-round picks in 2027 or 2029 stemming from the Mitchell trade of 2022. They would need to bring in win-now talent, likely players who can fit on the same timeline as Evan Mobley (24).
Here are five potential landing spots and trade packages for Mitchell, should Cleveland go that route, ranked in order of best fit for both teams.
5. New Orleans Pelicans
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New Orleans Pelicans Receive: SG Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: SF Trey Murphy III, PG Jeremiah Fears, F Saddiq Bey, C Kevon Looney, 2028 first-round pick (unprotected)
The Pelicans are a team to watch this offseason, as they overhauled their front office last summer and now have a new head coach in Jamahl Mosley. There's an intriguing blend of young talent (Fears, Derik Queen, Yves Missi) and vets who are getting closer to their prime (Zion Williamson, Murphy, Herb Jones).
A Dejounte Murray-Mitchell backcourt should be extremely enticing for the Pelicans, especially paired with a frontcourt of Jones, Williamson and Queen. For a team that nearly played .500 basketball over the last two-plus months of the season, this would be an aggressive move toward making the playoffs next year.
For Cleveland, Murphy is the small forward this team has craved for years.
The 25-year-old averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals and made 3.2 threes per game at a 37.9 percent clip. His remaining three-year, $87 million contract is going to age extremely well.
Fears was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 draft and put up 14.3 points and 3.4 assists as a rookie. He could learn under James Harden or start in the backcourt next to the future Hall of Famer. Bey quietly averaged 17.7 points per game in a return from a torn ACL and Looney gives the Cavs a reliable backup center.
An unprotected first-round pick in 2028 helps the Cavaliers say yes.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
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Philadelphia 76ers Receive: SG Donovan Mitchell, G/F Max Strus
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: G/F VJ Edgecombe, F Paul George, 2026 first-round pick (No. 22 overall)
Edgecombe is probably untouchable after his fantastic rookie season. The 20-year-old averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals while starting all 75 of his games.
But if Philly can pair Mitchell next to Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt AND get off the George contract, it's a conversation the front office at least needs to have.
For better or worse, Joel Embiid is sticking around. The 32-year-old center still has three seasons and $187.9 million remaining on his contract. When healthy, however, this Sixers team would be competing for titles immediately with Maxey and Mitchell looking like the best backcourt in the entire NBA.
For Cleveland, pairing Edgecombe with Evan Mobley is the foundation for sustained success on both ends of the ball. George (17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists) and Harden reunite to keep the Cavs in the playoff picture while Cleveland adds a second first-round pick to in their quest to get younger around Mobley and Edgecombe.
The Cavs would take a step back next season, yet have a better long-term outlook, especially when George and Harden's contracts come off the books in a year or two.
3. Houston Rockets
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Houston Rockets Receive: SG Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: F Jabari Smith Jr., G Reed Sheppard, F Dorian Finney-Smith, 2027 first-round pick (via Phoenix Suns)
If the Cavs don't want to move Mitchell to an Eastern Conference team, the Rockets would be a strong trade partner. Poor guard play doomed Houston this season, a franchise that's perhaps just one piece away from contending for a title.
A starting five of Fred VanVleet, Mitchell, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün with Tari Eason (restricted free agent), Steven Adams and others is the making of a core that could challenge even the best in the West.
Smith, 23, has star potential and could thrive in a bigger role. A frontcourt of him and Evan Mobley is big, long, and athletic, although it could use some added muscle. Smith's five-year, $122 million extension is set to kick in, potentially making him a steal if he's in the right role.
Sheppard, along with Smith and Mobley, was a No. 3 overall pick and took a big step forward in Year 2. In 21 starts, Sheppard averaged 15.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.0 steals and 0.9 blocks while shooting 38.5 percent from three.
Finney-Smith gives the Cavs the big, defensive wing they've coveted, and a first-round pick coming from Phoenix in 2027 could be quite valuable.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
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Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: SG Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: G/F Jalen Williams, G Cason Wallace
If the Thunder go on to win a second-straight title, there's no way they'd consider a franchise-altering move such as this. A loss to the San Antonio Spurs or New York Knicks could spark a different conversation, however.
A backcourt of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Mitchell could actually work extremely well, given the variation in their play styles. The former loves to get into the paint and draw contact, while Mitchell's 8.8 three-point attempts per game ranked third overall in the NBA.
Williams has battled hamstring injuries this year, something the Thunder should be concerned about after he averaged just 17.7 points per game.
If the Cavs decide his medicals are clean, Williams and Mobley are a heck of a one-two punch for the next five to 10 years. The 25-year-old wing has already been an All-Star, named to the All-NBA second team and the All-Defensive team, and won a championship.
Wallace is the first player the Cavaliers should ask for, although they may have to settle for Isaiah Joe or Aaron Wiggins instead
Imagine if this trade went down, only for these two teams to meet up in the 2027 Finals...
1. San Antonio Spurs
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San Antonio Spurs Receive: SG Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: SG Dylan Harper, G/F Devin Vassell
It's more likely that the Spurs stay the course and develop their young core around Victor Wembanyama then go fishing for a player like Mitchell. Of course, if Wembanyama puts pressure on the organization to get another veteran to help take down the Oklahoma City Thunder, this plan could change.
A three-headed monster at guard of Mitchell, De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle provides a healthy balance of scoring, playmaking and defense. As good as Harper will be one day, Mitchell is the far better player right now and likely will be for the next few years. With the Spurs looking like a championship contender already, Mitchell in San Antonio actually makes a lot of sense.
If the Cavs decide a Mitchell trade is inevitable, Harper is the first player they should call about.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft played a sixth-man role for the Spurs this season. His numbers are fairly modest (11.8 points, 3.9 assists, 34.3 percent from three), although Harper's pure skillset jumps off the screen at you. He's part James Harden and Cade Cunningham with an elite ability to finish around defenders at the rim.
A core of Harper and Mobley isn't going to make the East Finals next season, although they'd still be a playoff team with a sky-high ceiling for years to come. Vassell, 25, is a quality two-way wing who would instantly be the Cavs' new starting small forward.
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