CJ Holmes: What can Nets offer in a potential trade for Cavs star Donovan Mitchell?
NEW YORK — The Nets control nine first-round picks over the next five NBA drafts thanks in large part to assets gained in the Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden deals with Phoenix, Dallas and Philadelphia, respectively.
The question is, what will general manager Sean Marks do with this abundance of riches?
Brooklyn, a franchise that has been historically aggressive when it comes to adding star power via trade, is once again being thrown into the rumor mill as the league’s Feb. 8 deadline inches closer.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell has been linked to the Nets as a possible trade target, according to Matt Moore of Action Network. But does making a move for the four-time All-Star make sense for Brooklyn?
In a recent article, Moore wrote that the Knicks could also be interested in acquiring Mitchell, citing his own league sources.
“One name I heard from multiple sources to look out for if the Knicks can’t get a deal done for Mitchell is the always-star-shopping Brooklyn Nets, who have a plethora of assets to get such a deal done,” Moore wrote.
Despite the messy departures of three future Hall of Fame players, the Nets were still a playoff team last season and remain on track to punch their ticket to the postseason again in 2023-24. However, as competitive as they have been, the lack of true star power is apparent.
While Mikal Bridges has continued to elevate his game at both ends of the court since being dealt to Brooklyn from Phoenix and is a borderline All-Star at this point in his career, until he is officially voted in to the NBA’s midseason showcase, the fact remains that there are no current or former All-Star players on the Nets’ roster except Ben Simmons, who has been limited to just 48 games with Brooklyn so far because of injuries.
Would the addition of Mitchell, one of the best perimeter players in the game, make the Nets a true contender in the Eastern Conference? If the answer is yes, what would it cost?
The Cavaliers announced on Dec. 15 that Darius Garland and Evan Mobley are both expected to miss significant time because of their respective injuries, meaning their season can potentially go downhill quickly.
Mitchell has two guaranteed years left on his current contract with a $37 million player option in 2025-26. He has already voiced his preference not to sign an extension with the team in-season, and if Cleveland is struggling to win games anyway, perhaps the best time to move on from him would be now before he becomes increasingly frustrated with his current situation and ends up walking away for nothing.
Cleveland acquired Mitchell last summer in a trade with the Utah Jazz. They gave up Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, No. 14 overall pick Ochai Agbaji, three future first-round picks and a pair of pick swaps.
The Nets have a boatload of draft picks that could be included in a potential deal for Mitchell, along with young talents such as Jalen Wilson, Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead — two rookies who were selected by Brooklyn in the 2023 draft. And while Simmons does not have much trade value at the moment, next season he will have a $42 million expiring contract, which could be useful to teams that are looking to shed salary.
Lonnie Walker IV, Dennis Smith Jr. and Trendon Watford became trade eligible on Dec. 15. Cam Johnson will not be eligible to be traded until Jan. 15.
Walker, Smith, Nicolas Claxton, Spencer Dinwiddie, Royce O’Neale and Harry Giles III will all be unrestricted free agents this summer. Watford, Wilson, Armoni Brooks and Keon Johnson will be restricted free agents.
Dorian Finney-Smith’s player option does not kick in until 2025-26, but Brooklyn has a plethora of depth on the wing, and Finney-Smith’s trade value has never been higher given how he has shot the ball from deep this season.
While the Nets could be looking to pair Mitchell with Bridges and Cam Thomas, it is not a stretch to say that the Cavaliers may want Thomas — one of the best young scoring guards in the league — included in any potential deal. While replacing scoring with scoring makes sense for the Cavaliers, would Brooklyn be willing to part ways with their 22-year-old star and shift to a win-now approach?
The Nets certainly have enough to make a deal for Mitchell if they so choose, and if both sides can come to a reasonable agreement. Whether it happens or not will obviously be revealed in the coming months and will speak volumes about where Marks believes the franchise currently stands.
It will ultimately come down to what Brooklyn is willing to pay, because the cost is projected to be high.
