CLEVELAND — Could Donovan Mitchell be in the Cleveland Cavaliers lineup when they open the 2022-23 NBA season?
With the start of the Cavs' upcoming campaign less than two months away, a new report suggests that Cleveland could be looking at acquiring another All-Star. According to Ian Begley of SportsNet New York, the Cavs have "touched base" with the Utah Jazz regarding Mitchell.
While Begley adds that Cleveland's level of interest in the All-Star guard is "unknown," he also notes that the Cavs "have the young players and picks to put together a competitive package" to acquire Mitchell. Widely considered one of the best young players in basketball, the 25-year-old three-time All-Star is reportedly available as the Jazz embarks on an apparent rebuild that began when they traded three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this offseason.
The idea of Cleveland potentially acquiring Mitchell is certainly an intriguing one, considering the state of the Cavs' roster. Last season, Cleveland emerged as one of the most promising young teams in the NBA, with point guard Darius Garland and center Jarrett Allen earning All-Star Game selections and forward/center Evan Mobley being a unanimous selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
As for what it would take for the Cavs to acquire the Louisville product, one would imagine a package would center around at least one member of their current core, current restricted free agent Collin Sexton, and future draft picks. While Cleveland currently owes its 2023 first-round pick (lottery protected) to the Indiana Pacers as a result of the Caris LeVert trade, the Cavs otherwise currently own all of their future first-round picks.
Selected with the No. 13 pick of the 2017 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-1 Mitchell has averaged 23.9 points on .441 percent shooting (.361 from 3-point range), 4.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds through the first five years of his NBA career. In addition to the Cavs, he has been linked to the New York Knicks, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets in recent weeks.