Cleveland Cavaliers acquire All-Star Donovan Mitchell from Utah Jazz in NBA trade shocker
traded Gobert to Minnesota.
New York and Miami were obvious suitors for Mitchell, but the Knicks’ extension of RJ Barrett all but ended a trade between the Jazz and Knicks, and the Heat were not willing to trade certain players to accommodate the Jazz.
Working quietly without leaks, Cavavliers general manager Koby Altman – fresh off a Mediterranean vacation – went to work and pulled off a stunning deal.
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Cleveland finished 44-38 last season and was 35-21 after beating Indiana on Feb. 11 – good for second place in the East and just one game behind Miami. Injuries derailed the Cavs in the final portion of the season but the potential was obvious.
With Mobley and Allen anchoring the defense, the Cavs allowed 108.9 points per 100 possessions, fifth best in the league.
Garland came into his own offensively as a playmaker and scorer with Sexton missing most of the season, but the Cavs were still 20th offensively. The addition of Mitchell, who averaged 25.9 points last season, will help on that end, and the Cavs shouldn’t see too much negative impact defensively.
Altman has done a fantastic job rebuilding the Cavaliers following LeBron James’ departure to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, and this Mitchell deal will put in him the conversation for Executive of the Year. Mitchell has three years remaining on his five-year, $163 million contract, though the final season in 2025-26 is a player option. The deal got the attention of James who tweeted, “SO TOUGH!!!!! Super Dope.”