The Cleveland Cavaliers have a busy summer ahead of them. In addition to figuring out what to do with Darius Garland, the front office also needs to figure out the right way to handle Donovan Mitchell.

Mitchell’s contract is obviously winding down, and thus far, he hasn’t really indicated a desire to extend with the Cavs.

That has led to speculation that he may be on the move.

Last week, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported that the Lakers planned to make Mitchell their top priority this offseason.

“I think they’re gonna kick the can down the road … and see what the asking price is,” Buha said.

“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 … Donovan Mitchell would be the preferred guy. Whereas several months ago, Trae Young was a name you were hearing a lot. Dejounte Murray was [also] a name they looked at leading into the [trade] deadline.”

That said, it seems as though Cavs brass feels pretty strongly about Mitchell not ending up in purple and gold.

“A source told Hoops Wire that Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert ‘would never’ trade Mitchell to the Lakers,” Ashish Mathur wrote recently.

Given the history between LeBron James and Gilbert, plus the former’s relationship with certain Cavs execs, none of that should come as a huge surprise.

NBA Stars Think Donovan Mitchell Will Remain With Cavaliers

While Mitchell’s status seems very much up in the air, multiple NBA stars believe he will remain in Cleveland once the dust settles.

“I think Cleveland is a great place for [Donovan Mitchell]…I would be highly surprised if he left,” Marcus Morris said this week.

.@MookMorris2 on Donovan Mitchell’s future in Cleveland.

“I think Cleveland is a great place for [Donovan Mitchell]…I would be highly surprised if he left.” pic.twitter.com/g4usEi44VE

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 24, 2024

Where will Mitchell ultimately end up playing when the 2023-24 NBA season tips off? Time will tell.

Related: Lakers One Of The Frontrunners To Land Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr.

Anthony Amador

A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school Games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.