Dan Gilbert Would Reportedly Never Trade Donovan Mitchell To The Lakers

Donovan Mitchell has emerged as the leading trade target for the Lakers in recent weeks, replacing Trae Young as No. 1 on their desired list. There may be a hitch in their plans to get Mitchell, as a report from Sam Amico states that Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert will personally make sure Mitchell doesn't end up in LA.

“Gilbert and Koby Altman would look for a lucrative package of multiple draft picks and one or two young players with star potential in a Mitchell trade. For example, a source told Hoops Wire that the Cavaliers would ask for Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. from the Heat in Mitchell trade talks if it gets to that point.” 

Hoops Wire doesn't have the best track record in terms of their reporting, but this is a pretty natural conclusion that can be drawn given the circumstances. 

First, any Lakers trade package can be easily beaten by other interested teams. Even if LA gives up every tradeable asset, they don't have enough to ward off a team like the Knicks if they decide to pursue Mitchell once again.

Second, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and LeBron James have a hot-and-cold relationship, as they said nasty things about each other after LeBron left the franchise in 2010. They put aside their differences when James returned in 2014, but Gilbert wouldn't want to hand his best player to the Lakers, especially when they don't have major assets.

In addition, the Cavs giving up Mitchell would surely end any pursuit of a LeBron return to Cleveland for his retirement. But if the Cavaliers would prefer sending Mitchell to the Heat instead of the Western Conference, that's a mistake they'll have to battle in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Cavaliers Optimistic About Donovan Mitchell Re-Signing

Brian Windhorst of ESPN has previously reported that the Cavaliers think they can get a long-term commitment from Mitchell. It is in the guard's best financial interests to become a free agent in 2025 to be eligible to sign for a max of five years, $269.9 million. This is only if Mitchell is on the team who has his Bird rights, otherwise, he can sign a contract for four years, $200.1 million on the open market.

If the Cavaliers hold strong on not trading Mitchell, he'll have to voluntarily give up nearly $70 million and an additional contract year to leave the team in the summer of 2025. This might lead to Mitchell staying on for the foreseeable future unless some team gives the Cavs an offer they can't refuse. The Lakers won't be that team given their asset situation.

If the Cavaliers manage to keep Mitchell on the roster, it'll likely spell the end for Darius Garland's time with the team, as the one-time All-Star has seen his career stall in the backcourt alongside Mitchell.

Mitchell averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists this season, carrying the Cavaliers to the second round of the playoffs by averaging 29.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists.