One of the topics of NBA discussion swirling around the echo chamber of the offseason is whether or not the Cleveland Cavaliers should trade All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell. If he declines to sign a contract extension with the team this offseason, the logic goes, the Cavs have to consider trading him rather than risk losing him for nothing.
Let’s assume for the moment that the franchise does conclude that Mitchell is unlikely to sign an extension to stay with Cleveland and that they are prepared to move him for the right package. Rather than a trade return stuffed with young players and picks, and rather than trying to move Mitchell for a player at another position, what if they simply moved like-for-like?