NBA Trade Rumors: 76ers To Most Likely Land This All-Star Player

In the Eastern Conference last summer, the Cleveland Cavaliers emerged as a youthful team to keep an eye on as possible dark horse title contenders. Is it time for the 76ers to shine?

NBA Trade Rumors: 76ers To Most Likely Land This All-Star Player

The New York Knicks sought the great guard with the goal of signing him, so when the Cavaliers swooped in and acquired Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz, the Cavaliers’ chances of winning the title increased.

The 76ers will have the fourth-highest amount of cap space available among all clubs in 2024, at about $66.7 million. Aside from that, Philadelphia could be a well-liked trade partner for clubs wanting to get the most out of their next free agents as Tobias Harris and James Harden’s contracts are set to expire the following season.

The Philadelphia 76ers, who concluded the 2022–2023 season with the third-best record in the Eastern Conference, weren’t too far away from Cleveland. The Cavaliers received precisely what they needed from Mitchell throughout the regular season as they finished the year at 51-31.

Donovan Mitchell, who was acquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers in a trade last year, allegedly has no interest in signing a contract extension with the team. The All-Star guard has full control over when to exercise his player option ahead of the 2025–26 season, putting tremendous pressure on the Cavaliers to either negotiate a lucrative extension with him or try to trade him as soon as possible to ensure that they get full value rather than risking a reduced price for a flight risk.

The latest on Mitchell was discussed by ESPN NBA Insider Brian Windhorst earlier this week. The Cavaliers should start investigating the possibility of extending the young veteran now that his deal is approaching extension territory. Windhorst surmised that Mitchell might not necessarily want one at the moment.

What role do the 76ers play? If the Cavaliers do really make Mitchell available, the team may be the perfect place for him to land. Not only do the Sixers possess the necessary resources to make a trade happen, but these departing assets (Harris or Harden) as well as draft capital make a ton of sense as a return package for a Cleveland team in need of financial freedom to re-sign its key players while still offering them  a window to win now.

In order for the Philadelphia 76ers to have a chance at acquiring Donovan Mitchell, perhaps the dominoes fall in the correct direction. Rival organizations like the New York Knicks and Miami Heat might also be good choices for the All-Star, but both groups have fewer financial resources and raw talent than the Sixers.

Mitchell will make more than $32 million in 2023–2024. He is expected to earn more than $34 million the following season. After that, Mitchell may choose to accept his $37 million option for the 2025–2026 season or reject it and leave the team in the summer of 2025, becoming a free agent.

The possibility exists for Cleveland-based standout Mitchell to become the next NBA player to request a trade, but he hasn’t demonstrated any desire in a switch of teams.

 

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