NBA rumors: The Milwaukee Bucks could be faced with a major dilemma in the coming months if Giannis Antetokounmpo rejects an extension offer from the team in favor of a bigger deal next summer. Antetokounmpo seems determined to remain in Milwaukee, but this could still set off the alarm among opposing teams that are reportedly monitoring his situation with the Bucks.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee’s Central Division rivals, are in the same boat. Donovan Mitchell has two more years remaining in his current deal (three if you count his player option for 2025-26) and there have already been reports that the four-time All-Star might not be willing to pen a new deal with the Cavs.
NBA Rumors: Cavs Cash In on Donovan Mitchell
This is going to be a huge problem for the Cavs. After a relatively successful debut campaign from their new cornerstone superstar, Mitchell’s future in Cleveland has now been cast with doubt. For their part, the Cavaliers have to consider cashing in on him now while they still can. Failing to do their due diligence could result in a worst-case scenario wherein Mitchell leaves the team in the summer of 2025 as an unrestricted free agent.
James Peircey of the NBA Analysis Network believes that Cleveland should, at the very least, look into the possibility of trading Mitchell to a team that would be willing to give up a major haul in order to get their hands on the 26-year-old. What better team is out there than the New York Knicks, who sensationally tried, and miserably failed to bring Mitchell to their squad last summer before he ended up heading to Cleveland?
Here is Peircey’s proposed framework:
New York Knicks Receive: G Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: G/F RJ Barrett, C Isaiah Hartenstein, G/F Quentin Grimes, 2026 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2028 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2030 First-Round Pick (NYK)
The Knicks obviously want Mitchell. Pairing him with Jalen Brunson would yield one of the most explosive backcourts in the NBA today. Julius Randle will still be in the mix, and the Knicks will have their version of a Big 3 that could finally make this team a legitimate contender in the East.
For the Cavs, parting ways with Mitchell will set them back significantly. However, this team will need to cut its losses if they feel that the former Utah Jazz star has no intention of extending his stay in Cleveland. RJ Barrett is no 1-for-1 replacement for Mitchell, but the inclusion of Quentin Grimes could make this an amenable 2-for-1 deal for the Cavs. Moreover, they get to recoup three out of the five first-round picks they gave up to the Jazz when they traded for Mitchell last summer, thereby reviving their war chest of future assets.
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