NBA

Donovan Mitchell trade: Will this become one of the biggest in Cavalier history? – Terry Pluto

by
admin
September 18, 2022

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cavaliers president Coby Altman said the deal for Donovan Mitchell was “probably the biggest trade in franchise history.”

3 first-round picks and 3 players (Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton and 2022 first-round pick Ochai Agbaj) going to Utah for Mitchell is the largest in terms of assets traded.When the Cavaliers acquired, the team changed franchises. He made two trades Brad Doughty and Mark Price during the 1986 draft.

But this deal is huge. It’s a gamble because future first round players (2025, 2027, 2029) are traded. Markkanen and Sexton are likely to start in Utah.

We asked Altman about Mitchell’s high salary, which has 24 career goals.

“It’s 26 years old and a three-time All-Star,” he said. “It gets pretty simple, doesn’t it? Essentially, my job is to bring the best talent to Cleveland and sit next to him, one of the best players in the world.”

let’s see In draft status:

1. Altman knows the Cavs likely won’t have a first-round pick in 2023. That selection goes to Indiana on a deal with Caris LeVert, assuming the Cavs make it to the playoffs.

2. For the rest of the decade, the Cavaliers will have first-round picks in 2024, 2026 and 2028.

3. Unless you get another first round selection, you can’t trade those picks due to Ted Stepien rules. This would prevent teams from not having his first-round pick for the second year in a row.

That’s why Altman also admits that trading is “painful.”

Overall picture

But as coach JB Bickerstaff told me after the press conference, “Getting Donovan is easy.”

The Cavaliers lost and drafted. Over the past five years, they have picked Sexton (2018), Darius Garland (2019), Isaac Okoro (2020), Evan Mobley (2021) and Agbazi (2022) in the first round.

They also used a first-round pick acquired from Milwaukee to trade for Jarrett Allen in 2020. Allen and Garland are already All-Stars. They rightly believe that Mobley will join that distinction soon.

Mitchell is a three-time All-Star. Four key players under the age of 26.

“We are very young and the timeline is good for bringing a player of this ability to this group,” said Altman. “I think we have the opportunity to compete with some of the best players in the world.”

still young team — Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen, who formed Team Cavs and won the NBA All-Star Weekend Skills Challenge, got their own bobbleheads. All are under the age of 26. APs

It’s time to take the next step

The Cavaliers went 44-38 last season. This was LeBron’s first win record for his James-less team since 1997–98. Altman wants to secure a solid place in the playoffs.

“Simplifying it, would Donovan Mitchell make us a better basketball team? – Yes!” Altman said. “How do you get it done? You go through the pain of it, but I think we’re all really happy and excited about what we can do.

Bickerstaff went all-in, but knew he had to figure out how to play with a pair of 6-foot-1 guards who both liked to handle the ball. It didn’t work out for Garland and Sexton, but Mitchell is an excellent player.

“When you add guys on this level, it starts foaming at your mouth,” Bickerstaff told me. “I feel like I have a chance to do something special.”

Altman and Bickerstaff emphasized Mitchell’s character.

“It’s about how he fits into the community and how he influences others,” Bickerstaff said. “When you don’t have to sacrifice people for talent, you can give yourself the opportunity to create something special.”

The “people over talent” statement means bringing in talented players with attitude problems. Mitchell doesn’t belong in that category. He was thoughtful, gracious, and seemed excited to be with Cleveland.

these days should be over — The Cavaliers hope their lottery days are over after the Donovan Mitchell trade.APs

playoffs, etc.

“Donovan has the ability to stand up and play in the moment,” said Bickerstaff. “How many players, especially at a young age, have improved their numbers in the playoffs?”

In six seasons in the NBA, Mitchell Average of 23.9 points.Appeared in 39 playoff games, which is 28.3 . He scored 50 points twice in playoff games.

I asked Bickerstaff who would be the small forward in the lineup of 7-foot Allen and Mobley and 6-foot-1 guards Mitchell and Garland.

The coach wasn’t sure. He talked about the matchup and how he needs time to figure it out.

If they want a big lineup, they have Kevin Love and Dean Wade.Bickerstaff said Love is “very excited” about trading Donovan.

“We have quality starters like Kevin Love who can come off the bench,” he said. And if we can get some of the starters up against the backups, we’ll have an advantage.”

My sense is that the fifth spot could vary depending on the opposition and the performance of various candidates.

“There’s a runway here,” Altman said. “I don’t want anyone to think this year is fight or lose. ”

As such, it will be years before we know if this was truly a franchise-changing trade for the Cavaliers. That’s good news. This young group will require some patience.

Recent Terry Pluto Columns

Donovan Mitchell wins press conference, joins Cavaliers

My Latest Terry’s Talkin’ Podcast: It’s All Here: The Cavs Trade, The Rise of the Guardians, The Browns Story

Hot time in the city in a playoff chase with hot baseball teams and Guardians

Browns postgame doodles: Don’t ignore defensive blunders

How did the Browns win that game???

Key to Cavaliers taking big step after Donovan Mitchell trade

Andrew Berry Interview: Wait for Watson, what about winning?

Hey Terry: Andres Gimenez and Robbie Alomar? What about Miller?

FAITH & YOU that make fun of yourself and yourself and your pride

‘I feel conflicted’ on the Browns’ record this season?

Carolina is betting Baker Mayfield will turn the franchise around, but what is he fighting?