The Cleveland Cavaliers have made a statement to the rest of the NBA by acquiring one of the best young players in the league, three-time NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell.
This is one of the most shocking trades in a while, as the long-time trade favorites for the former Utah Jazz guard were the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat.
After being arguably the most surprising success story last season, Cleveland now improves their chances of being a serious threat in the Eastern Conference for the upcoming season. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported the trade.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Donovan Mitchell in a trade, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 1, 2022
This trade improves their chances of being an Eastern Conference favorite and shows the rest of the league and their fan base that the Cleveland Cavaliers are truly in it to win it. Being able to pair up Donovan Mitchell with fellow 2022 NBA All-Star guard Darius Garland gives the Cavaliers arguably one of the best backcourts in the league, if not the best. The young Cavs guard reacted to the trade on Twitter, and Mitchell followed up with a tweet of his own. Cavs veteran guard Ricky Rubio also reacted to the news on Twitter, with Mitchell responding to his new Cavs and former Jazz teammate.
10 and 🕷
— Darius Garland (@dariusgarland22) September 1, 2022
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) September 1, 2022
… I guess now D.O.N Issue #4 will have Cavs colors 🟡🟤 🤭
— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) September 1, 2022
RICKYYYYYYYY‼️‼️ https://t.co/6Rj8Bbmm0C
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) September 1, 2022
To go along with Mitchell and Garland, the Cavs also have an impressive frontcourt with 2022 NBA All-Star Jarrett Allen and 2022 NBA All-Rookie First Team Selection Evan Mobley.
To acquire Mitchell, the Cavs gave up 2019 NBA All-Rookie Second Team Selection Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Ochair Agbaji, three unprotected first-round picks, and two pick swaps. As for Utah, this trade proves that they are entirely going in on a rebuild led by two-time NBA Champion and current team CEO of basketball operations Danny Ainge. This is Utah’s second time trading an all-star within the last couple of months. As they also traded All-Star Center Rudy Gobert back in July.
Now we wait and see how Mitchell will fit in with the Cavs and if Collin Sexton will be the right young piece to build around in Utah.
Let us know if you’re hyped to see Donovan Mitchell play for the Cavs by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.