BREAKING NEWS: Donovan Mitchell is a Cavalier
2022-09-01Just as it was looking like NBA trade slop season was going out with a whimper, the Cavs and Utah Jazz unleashed the Mother of All Woj Bombs:
The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Donovan Mitchell in a trade, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 1, 2022
Full trade: Utah is trading Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland for Lauri Markkanen, Ochair Agbaji, Collin Sexton, three unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 1, 2022
Judging by reacting on social media, there appears to be a dichotomy between non-Cavs fans and media who love the trade with some Cavs’ die-hards wondering if POBO Koby Altman spent too much, too soon for such a win-now move. Consider yours truly a massive fan of this move, and I am currently in the process of deleting all of my Koby Altman slander from the internet.
Donovan Mitchell is basically the fully realized All-Star version of Collin “Young Bull” Sexton. He’s a top five player at his position, in the prime of his career on a long term deal, and Altman didn’t give up any of their big three to acquire him. In case fans need a reminder, Mitchell turned in one of the most historic playoff performances in NBA history:
The main concern about this trade is logistics of managing the impending Evan Mobley rookie max extension contract, but rest assured Koby Altman wouldn’t have done this deal without a work-around to circumnavigate the salary cap restrictions:
It does slightly. Mobley can’t get an early “designated rookie extension” if Mitchell is on the roster. But if Mitchell opts out and then signs a max, Mobley can still get his 5 year. Also, I believe Mobley can still get a 5 year in RFA https://t.co/mep53ohWDd
— Cavs:TheBlog (@CavsTheTweets) September 1, 2022
Cavs: The Podcast will have further coverage of the trade as well as a deep dive on how Mitchell fits on the court with DG and Tower City. What say you Commentariat? How are we feeling? Sound off below!
Remember 2 years ago Utah had the best record in the league.
Pod is up!
If it does not work, Mitchell has long enough left on his contract and is young enough that we can recoup picks and get players back as well.
Narrator: he did not.
GO CAVS baby!!!!!! I am not sure this trade is going to work out but that doesn’t stop me from loooovvvvvving it all the way up and down. I believe top 10 D and O are in reach with good health and a little pop from our young guys. True test will be what we see from this group once the bright lights and intensive game planning of the playoffs come around.
Sorting through all the movement of players and picks, the Cavs basically upgraded Sexton to Mitchell. Good job on Cavs brass keeping this pretty close to vest and deciding draft picks and getting younger wasn’t the ultimate solution. I don’t think many would’ve blamed them if they ran everyone back and tried again, but they wanted to get better quickly. This has some Gilbert written on it as well. The rotation at least 10 deep is pretty sound. The lack of a wing is still glaring. Okoro is either going to start with 4 stars around him and look useless… Read more »
Don’t overthink it. Gonna be some FUN basketball for the next decade. GO CAVS! Don’t take tomorrow for granted. Definitely gonna take family to a game when back in Cleveland in November!
I don’t love Mitchell’s game over the last few years. He has gotten too heavily into heroball. He just takes too many dribbles for my basketball sensibilities. That being said, he is a good shooter at all levels (as good as Booker), big time clutch gene, and has shown at various times in his career to have the ability to play D, even if he doesn’t do it all the time. I’m a big fan of Gobert’s game, but I can understand how he could get under someone’s skin as a dude. Here’s hoping that was more of a factor… Read more »
Yeah. If Lauri can play the 3, Mobley can too, right?
Maybe having Garland/Rubio will allow Mitchell to be more of a traditional two guard with less dribbling. Though he did have Conley recently.
Garland, Mitchell, Wade, Mobley, Allen.
Neto (Rubio), LeVert, Okoro, Love, Lopez
Rubio (Neto), Windler, Osman, Stevens
LeVert, Osman, Windler, Wade, & Okoro all with big chances this year.
I am assuming this is CtB Pod Material??
already recorded, should be dropping first thing in the morning Eastern time zone LMFAO
Knew it! Pro level we have all come to expect.
Haha! Always great to give Stephen A heartburn!
Both guys should fit well with Rubio, if Ricky gets close to healthy, I’d expect to see 1 of Garland/Mitchell on the court at all times. At least until Ricky gets healthy.
Starting SF, who you got?
LeVert?
Okoro?
Wade?
Cedi?
Wade
He is the most like for like replacement for Big Finnish, for sure.
1sts:
’23: to Indy (lotto protected)
’24: ours
’25: to Jazz
’26: swap with Jazz
’27: to Jazz
’28: swap with Jazz
’29: to Jazz
Garland, Mitchell, ???, Mobley, Allen
Rubio, Okoro, LeVert, Osman, Love, Lopez
Neto, Windler, Stevens, Wade.
An open roster spot.
Will be either Okoro or Levert that starts I would guess. Wade would probably be the better option there though.
Put me in the camp that says it is REALLY hard to win with two dimunitive, defensively challenged guards starting in the backcourt (West & Goodrich with Wilt, Isiah & Dumars with Bad Boys, Smith & Maxwell with Dream, Cheeks & Toney with Moses & Doc, FVV & Lowry with Kawhi). Yes, losing Lauri and Agbaji hurts. And 3 firsts. And two pick swaps. Sexton? Not so much. Mitchell is better than the best version of Sexton. By a lot. But this is a swing for the fences. We now have 3 all-stars at 25 or younger. Plus Mobley. Plus… Read more »
We still need a natural SF. And more shooting.
I think we can all agree that the Cavs got the best player for the next three years. I think it’s as simple as that, they won the trade. BE HERE NOW
is it “no-where” or “now-here”
100%, All-Star in the literal prime of his career to help develop DG and Mobley
well, utah didn’t get their pocket picked.. i’m sure cavs offered windler, but utah obviously wanted more (re ochai).. the price was high but for a young top-tier talent you need to offer a sweet pot.. barring injury, i think mitchell produces significantly more wins in the coming years than what cavs gave up.. perhaps jazz get rich in the draft but the odds are against it.. top talent is essential in the nba.. it wins games.. regular season, playoffs and the chip.. cavs got better.. uncle buck is all in.. good job koby.. he is gong to need a… Read more »
Right on, agree 100%. And yeah, Koby be rockin some big ass balls that the knicks just got slapped on the chin with.
they should bring up that 2nd rounder from new zealand.. the roster just opened up..
buck dropping the wisdom!
hard to argue with top-tier.. usually not in same sentence with CLE.. thx bruh
The finals runner up improved.
Nets and Philly has 2 all world talent in their primes.
Miami is great.
Giannis is the best player in the world today.
Bulls have 2 legit all stars.Atlanta improved.
Charlotte, Detroit and Toronto expected to improve.
Safe to say we East is getting stacked. I could live with this trade.
who the world are the two all world talents in their prime?
Philli? Only Embiid in my book. Harden is more washed up than in his prime.
Nets? KD somewhat past his prime, and is getting fragile and becoming more of a head case every day. KI might still be all world, but you never know if he is going to play, and he is a trouble maker. BS is a total wild card — he MIGHT turn out really good, but will probably never be able to shoot.
Ok calling them all world individually might be a stretch. But with them combined, Nets and Philly are still top 4 team in the east. We need to be on par with that
Should be interesting to see how this plays out. Color me skeptical just based on the guy they traded for versus what they gave up. But hope it works or at least doesn’t limit their flexibility when DG and Mobley reach their primes.
Anyone know what years the picks are for and/or what picks we have going forward. I know cavs lose a 2023 first rounder to indy if we make the playoffs.
2025, 2027, 2029
If we still have 2024 pick that could be useful to pick up a specialist or guy who slips.
Yeah hopefully a defensive wing at or above 6’8
Windhorst did an emergency pod on this trade via the Hoop Collective.
Ranks it as top 3 all time in trade history for Cavs: Shawn Kemp, Kevin Love, and now Donovan Mitchell.
The Knicks played chicken and they lost – Bon Temps
Mitchell was excited to be traded to Cavs… running around and cheering on golf course… especially since they didn’t trade Garland, Mobley, Allen – Windhorst
Cavs and Jazz have a great comfort level with each other: Hood, Clarkson, Crowder, etc. – Windy
This isn’t yesterdays Eastern Conference… it’s loaded – Bon Temps
Cavs upgraded Markenen (below avg) for Mitchell – unknown voice on the pod
Cavs were 20th in offense last year, and top 5 in defense. There’s no reason why they can’t be top 10 in both this season – unknown
I like the Cavs trade for Mitchell more than the Hawks for Murray. – pod voice
I like this trade a lot more for the Cavs than Atlanta… ceiling is higher for Cavs – Tim MacMahon
LeBron signs his contract and they (Cavs) have to come up with plan B – Windy
Cavs created a bit of an issue when/if Mobley becomes a designated player in 2024… only allowed 2 (Mitchell, Garland). But they can still find a workaround – Windy
If you’re Chicago, Atlanta, Toronto, you’re not feeling great about the Cavs making this move – Windy
“Can now be top 10 in both offense and defence. Last years teams that did that? Utah, Boston, Memphis, Phoenix. That’s it.”
I want to see what the Cavs do with Kevin Love – Windy
Boston, Milwaukee, Philly, Miami are the only better teams in the East. – everyone on pod
6th man then extend him until we retire his jersey here.
I’d love to see them restructure his deal.
What is the point? He is an expiring? Are you saying as part of an extension?
Cleveland call Melo he’s available (said jokingly) – Windy
Tim MacMahon?
Best: Brad Daugherty for no one, and Mark Price for ??
So-so: Larry Nance + for Kevin Johnson +,
Worst: Ron Harper + 3 #1’s for Danny Ferry.
Thanks Arch, listening now
Winner, winner. Chicken dinner.
Zach Harper of The Athletic doles out trade grades to both the Cavaliers and the Jazz following the team’s exchange earlier today. Harper is higher on the addition of Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland than he is on the return acquired by Utah, noting that he sees the Cavaliers as a potential Eastern Conference contender.
Copy and pasted from Hoops Rumors
He is pretty high on Mitchell then. I admit I never have been. Good player. Not the most efficient scorer, or not at the level that I think would offset a small backcourt.
This trade pushes us to playoff territory which is VITAL for the growth of Mobley and Garland. Even prior to the Mitchell trade, we are expected to make the playoffs. This trade just guaranteed that barring any crucial injuries.
Did we overpay? Maybe. But I could live with it. We can’t expect a championship in the horizon if we are not making the necessary steps to ensure we see playoff basketball in May.
I think we were 6-9 in the East prior to the trade, probably more towards 9th.
1-5: Bucks, Celtics, 76ers, Heat, Nets
6-9: Bulls, Raptors, Hawks, Cavs
PO spot questionable if we don’t finish 6th.
If we don’t finish top 6 now, something went wrong.
Agree. So instead of clinging hope that some team declined and Mobley Garland combo take two steps above a year earlier then we are more likely to miss the playoffs without a Mitchell type of player as the east is currently constructed.
I’ve never commented on CTB before, although I’ve been a silent observer since the days of “Drawings From the Notebook of Chris Grant.” With that being said, the excitement is palpable for the Cavs to finally be able to be something without LBJ. This should be the most talented non-LeBron team since roughly 1992. I guess it all depends on where one thinks the team should be to call it a success. I know the Cavs haven’t made the playoffs since 1997 without #23 and it’s about time they did. I like trade, enough to motivate me to comment on… Read more »
Thanks for reading all these years!
Andrew Bynum practices – priceless.
You’re welcome, Tom. FWIW, I guess the Cavs last made the playoffs in 1998 without LBJ, I am incorrect on my statement about it being 1997. Hard to remember the Kemp era.
Good to hear from you BadSalmon!
Thanks Raoul.
Great first post Bad Salmon! Agree 100% this could be amazing!
Yikes. That is a wild amount for another 6’ guard no matter the scoring caliber. Call me skeptical on Donovan as far as ever having two 6’ guards on a championship contender. Three unprotected firsts and two pick swaps is a ton in a vacuum for Mitchell. The other three guys on top of that is a wild haul. Down the starting small forward from last year and a wing prospect that could shoot. Mitchell is obviously a huge upgrade over Sexton, but not sure any scoring Mitchell could provide could ever make up for it given you’re back to… Read more »
We can’t expect every deal to be championship-getting home run. But this one moves us on to that direction because it helps us get into the playoffs.
I’m going to be happy to be a second round fodder for the next two years rather than a play-in team that loses every year.
The playoff experience is important for Garland and Mobley. This 99% guarantees that. Once they have taken the next step, we are free of commitment to Mitchell and maybe could flip him to get back some assets.
That’s a good point!
But you also gave up three first round unprotected picks and two pick swaps, meaning if things don’t work….yikes. Good luck trying to get unprotected 1sts or good prospects for Mitchell in the last year of a deal. I think you’re looking at multiple years without a first or at best a late first rounder. I also don’t think their ceiling was a playin team. They were in the mid tier prior to injuries to multiple key guys at once. It also assumes Mobley won’t develop into a superstar or that Graland doesn’t develop further. I think if those two… Read more »
And further, I think you remain second round fodder because we would likely need the good first round drafts to add another piece given the unlikelihood of FA signings and/or getting a decent return back for Mitchell.
Those picks will be 10-20 range either way. A very low chance to get a foundational piece. We have 3 years of commitment to Mitchell, he will be 28 after that. Prime years ahead. I could get back 1 first rounder with that at worst. That will be enough time to know how Garland and Mobley performs in the playoffs.
We collapsed after the break pulling us down in the standings. This trade will make us avoid that again. Isn’t that what good organizations supposed to do?
I guess. But it was Mobley’s rookie year and DG’s breakout year. Meaning I expected a fair amount of improvement anyway and likely playoffs anyway.
I don’t think there is necessarily an out from this. I think this is cards on the table, this is our shot type move based off the three first rounders and pick swaps. I also think picks in the 10-20 range can be pretty valuable depending on the draft and organization.
Appreciate your point too. Either way let’s hope for the best. Go Cavs!!
Cavs should have used that package to grab Dejounte Murray instead.
no way, Mitchell can actually shoot from 3 on massive volume
Murray can guard 1 or 2, floor general while Garland goes off ball. On general fit, Murray has an edge. But I really got turned off with his off season antics..
Mitchell has that take-over factor and his offensive capabilities really pushes our attack on the next level compared to what we can have with Murray or Sexton for that matter.
well said, agree 100%
Don’t you think the fit is better next to Garland tho?
Might be a better ‘fit’, at least to an extent, but Mitchell is a considerably better player.
Not offensively… Mitchell will actually space the floor in ways Dejounte wouldn’t/can’t.
they both saying WTF?
Despite possibly get fleeced by Ainge (he must have nudes of Gilbert), I’m still excited to see how this plays out. It’ll be fun to watch.
There you go Arch you’re coming around!!!
THE “SUMMER DOLDRUMS ” ARE DONE —–CTB IS ALIVE !!!——-AGREE WITH SOME OF THE OTHER POSTS—WOULD HAVE MAYBE LIKE TO HAVE SEEN ICE TRADED AND KEEP LAURI // AGBAJI
Lauri is the one that hurts the most… but no way that trade gets done without him.
right, not a minute too soon! — me and NOMAD needed help trying to talk Cavs!
I rate Sexton’s departure higher than Mitchell’s arrival.
Both likely to be plusses. I wish Sexton well, but I won’t miss the partisan Sexton debates. Not on this forum so much, but elsewhere. If you’re going to mindlessly stan for a player, you’d think you’d make it a player who is a solid All Star.
Has anyone checked on Hiram Boyd? I’m afraid to look at his Twitter account.
LMFAOOO oh it’s a doozy!!!!
I’m saving it up for my lunch break 😜
Wonder how Koby pitched Sexton. “This is a young talent that will help you” or “This guy is a tanking team’s centerpiece.”?
I do love that we have a bunch of guys happy to be in The Land. Hopefully Donovan will become a convert.
All digits crossed!!
SPIDALAND… too soon???
Spida is 25 and will be 28 after the current contract is up. If this doesn’t work out in 2 years we can surely get some picks/assets back.
Agreed, rarely will the Cavs have the opportunity to add a talent like this at the absolute peak of his career.
What the.. what is happening?
Honestly, I think I might start Dean Wade at the 3 now. Although maybe Okoro has secretly grown two inches in the off season, I still rather see him come off the bench for now and have more run against backups. Also, I think given Mitchell’s age, contract length and resume, if the fit doesn’t work out you would think his overall value would hold enough as he nears UFA, so you might be able to recoup some assets if needed.
agree about starting Wade
100% agree Ryan the starting lineup with Wade at the 3 were ridiculously good last year.
I’m meh. I liked Lauri. I don’t really think this roster fits, and I loved the tower city identity. I’m not mad. I just think we’ve seen this two tiny backcourt thing before and it doesn’t work unless and I don’t think Mitchell wants to be here. Doesn’t work unless you have two strongman in Lowry and VanVleet and the Claw to go with em. I also don’t think you trade with Ainge under any circumstances.
Completely agree. Especially the point of never trading with Ainge.
Ainge blows, Koby took his lunch!
Ainge sucks, but I think this is a relatively fair trade.
Clips fan in my ball chat coping hard, think Ainge got fleeced!!!
I tend to agree . Ultimately, it’ll be how Mitchell perceives the move and whether he invests everything in the team. Judging by player chat, he seems excited? Time will tell.
Mitchell is a good guy. He will fit well culturally and personally with DG, Ricky, Mobley and JA who all seem like good peeps. Spurs vibes happening.
“Spurs vibes” I agree Go Cavs!
I like that talk!