BREAKING: Lakers Add $163 Million Superstar
The Los Angeles Lakers may not have the most assets in the NBA, but with three first-round picks, Austin Reaves, and other players, they could potentially secure a deal. According to Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report, the Lakers are proposed to trade all their top assets to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Donovan Mitchell. This move would be aimed at strengthening the team around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Lakers would receive: Donovan Mitchell
Cavaliers would receive: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, 2024 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick
“The outgoing players here, led by Reaves, might not impress the Cavs much. However, three first-round picks are significant, and both Reaves and Hachimura could potentially start alongside Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen—unless Cleveland decides to trade Allen in another deal,” Hughes noted in his June 11 column on potential blockbuster NBA trades. “The Lakers could also offer two first-round swaps and up to five future second-round picks.
“Mitchell has leverage over the Cavs because he can refuse an extension and threaten to leave as a free agent in 2025. Although Cleveland could trade him anywhere, potential offers would be limited if other teams knew Mitchell wouldn’t re-sign with them. This scenario could push Cleveland to trade him to his preferred destination, which, in this case, is Los Angeles.”
‘Donovan Mitchell Would Be the Preferred Guy’
With limited assets, the Los Angeles Lakers cannot afford a trade like the one they made for Russell Westbrook in 2021. If they fail to execute this trade correctly, they risk missing their championship aspirations again.
While it’s uncertain which players might be involved, the Lakers have been linked to names like Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, and others besides Donovan Mitchell. However, Jovan Buha of The Athletic notes, “Donovan Mitchell would be the preferred guy” for the Lakers.
“So there’s been some Donovan Mitchell buzz over the last few days. Cleveland ends up losing in five games to Boston,” Buha said in May. “There’s reporting about Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, almost framing it as sort of an either-or situation.
“I’ve heard in recent weeks that Donovan has become, if the Lakers go down the three-star path, and it’s still unclear. I think they’re going to kick the can down the road and see the possibility and see what the asking price is. There are teams that can outbid them if they get into a bidding war. But if they do go down that road, and at least explore it, that Donovan Mitchell would be the preferred guy.”
How Mitchell Would Fit With the Lakers
The potential addition of Donovan Mitchell to the Los Angeles Lakers would significantly enhance their scoring threats on the court. Mitchell is an elite scorer and a high-level playmaker who can create opportunities for both Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
In the 2023-24 season, the 27-year-old Mitchell averaged 26.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He maintained a 36.8% shooting accuracy from three-point range on nine attempts per game, marking his third consecutive year with at least nine attempts per game.
Mitchell has a player option for the 2025-26 season, the final year of his five-year, $163 million contract. This means the Lakers would need to be prepared to offer a substantial contract extension in the near future.
If the Lakers can secure a deal despite their limited assets, the addition of the five-time All-Star would create an exciting trio with James and Davis, potentially forming one of the most formidable lineups in the NBA.