Cavaliers Could Begin Roster Rebuild With Donovan Mitchell Draft Trade
After a second consecutive loss to the New York Knicks, Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves in a disappointing 0-2 deficit in the Eastern Conference Finals as they head back home for Game 3.
Mitchell, who has been the team’s driving force throughout the season, again led his team's Game 2 scoring effort, finishing with 26 points on his 8-of-18 shots from the field and 8-of-9 free throws.
Several days ago, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst reported that the Cavaliers are getting ready for what could be a "franchise-altering financial decision" involving a potential four-year extension for Mitchell worth up to $272 million this offseason.
Mitchell currently has a $50 million salary for the 2026-27 season, along with a $54 million player option for 2027-28.
However, it would be a smart business move for Mitchell not to sign an extension and wait a year for a significantly bigger deal, which would also make him an unrestricted free agent.
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Mitchell knows he can wait until 2027, when he officially has 10 years in the NBA, to become eligible for a five-year supermax contract worth close to $350 million.
With the Cavaliers facing this financial decision and the uncertainty it brings, they might consider rebuilding their roster with young talent by trading Mitchell before he leaves without the team receiving anything in return.
According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, the Cavs could pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade to acquire the eighth pick in June’s NBA Draft from the Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans Pelicans).
The trade would involve Mitchell going to the Hawks, with the Cavaliers also receiving Zaccharie Risacher, Onyeka Okongwu, Jonathan Kuminga (via sign-and-trade), a 2028 first-round pick (via ATL, CLE, or UTA), and a 2030 first-round pick swap.
With that No. 8 pick, Buckley suggests Cleveland would select Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. to start rebuilding for the future without “Spida” Mitchell. The 6-foot-5 Brown averaged 18.2 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game at Louisville with 41 percent field goal shooting.
Brown would bring a team like the Cavs plenty of upside as a solid shooter, strong finisher, and top-notch playmaker. He’d join a squad already featuring the talented Evan Mobley, along with new additions Kuminga, Risacher, and Okongwu from the aforementioned trade.
Meanwhile, Mitchell could help the Atlanta Hawks rise again in the Eastern Conference with a solid scoring option after their disappointing first-round playoff exit against the New York Knicks.
Will this trade occur? It’s all speculation at this point, and will depend on whether Mitchell forces the Cavs’ hand by not committing to an extension and instead seeking a bigger deal.
It could be a serious way to shake things up for Cleveland, a franchise that wants to return to the Eastern Conference Finals after last reaching that stage with NBA legend LeBron James back in 2018.
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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 8:37 PM.