The Donovan Mitchell trade rumors have been non-stop, but one NBA insider believes the Cavs will make a different change before they let Donovan Mitchell go.
Even though Mitchell shut down the trade rumors last week and told reporters his focus is on leading the team in the absence of Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, the speculation hasn’t let up.
His hometown of New York has been the hot favorite for his next landing spot.
The rumors caught fire when Mitchell didn’t take up an extension with Cleveland last summer, so will become a free agent in 2025.
The Cavs do not want to trade the shooting guard right now, but rather want to make it work with what they’ve got.
The change they will make is that of head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
“The Cavaliers, though, are not prepared to consider that exit strategy,” Fischer wrote. “Cleveland officials have maintained a commitment to this core of four All-Star talents, according to league sources, even with all the incessant chatter among rival executives that Mitchell will inevitably bolt when he can reach the unrestricted market in 2025…
“All that noise has naturally brought questions about Bickerstaff’s hold on his head-coaching post, particularly after a 4-6 start, with Cleveland’s playoff shortcomings against the Knicks still fresh in the rearview. If change were to ever come within the Cavaliers, talent is rarely the first major domino to fall. It’s far simpler, and far less existential, to swap out a play-caller than part with an MVP candidate like Mitchell, so goes this league’s conventional wisdom.”
Fischer thinks that besides the coach, the only real trade option that is viable for the Cavs is Ricky Rubio.
“I think the only real tangible development for Cleveland on the trade front is they have two years and roughly $13 million left on the contract of Ricky Rubio, who announced in August he is pausing his career to better pursue his mental health initiatives,” Fischer said.