247report: Lakers for a $163 million All-Star

The Los Angeles Lakers truly lead a privileged life; other NBA areas can only hope to draw the biggest names and brightest talents to their communities.

Even so, the Lakers, a glittering, glamorous, and wildly successful franchise, have the right to dream. From time to time, the team raises its collective and symbolic head in the clouds to envision what it would be like to land the ultimate trade target at the ideal moment and raise another championship banner for the fans.

Donovan Mitchell, a combo guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, was identified as the so-called “dream” target for Los Angeles this summer by Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz on Monday, June 3.\

The Los Angeles Lakers must find a new alpha scorer this summer because they cannot continue to rely on LeBron James, who is 40 years old, as their main offensive option.

Donovan Mitchell, who would make the ideal third player to play with James and Anthony Davis, is more than capable of filling this role. But any deal involving Mitchell will have a big effect on the Lakers’ depth and next round selections.

Should Mitchell decline to sign an extension, the Cleveland Cavaliers would only be willing to explore a deal that included multiple first-round picks, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves.

Mitchell is a “dream” candidate for the Lakers because of his skill and fit, among other things. But Cleveland’s willingness to send him west to the same franchise that enticed James away from Ohio six ago could prove to be nightmares for Los Angeles if he is available.

For the next two seasons, Mitchell will be under contract with the Cavaliers for a five-year, $163 million deal. But Mitchell has a player option in the last year of that contract, which allows him to opt out and reenter unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2025.

That poses a challenge for Cleveland, which two seasons ago traded for Mitchell for nothing in exchange for a large asset package from the Utah Jazz. The choice to move Mitchell or Darius Garland this offseason is expected to depend on Mitchell’s willingness to sign a long-term agreement in the upcoming months and play with the Cavaliers forever, according to the majority of NBA insiders.

This presents a problem for Cleveland, which acquired Mitchell for nothing two seasons prior in return for a big package of assets from the Utah Jazz. Most NBA experts believe that Mitchell’s desire to sign a long-term contract in the coming months and stay with the Cavaliers forever will determine whether or not to trade him this offseason.

Given that other teams could surpass the Lakers’ best offer to the Cavaliers for Mitchell—who is genuinely a “dream” trade candidate—such attitude does not augur well for the Lakers.

Of course, in any situation where Mitchell is genuinely on the table, Los Angeles would have to give up significant portions of their current squad and draft picks that will hurt them in the long run. However, given his offensive skill, the Lakers may find it difficult to reject the three-star option if they have the opportunity.

According to Basketball Reference, Mitchell has a career scoring average of 24.8 points per game and has been an All-Star in each of the previous five seasons. He averaged 26.6 points, 6.1 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.8 steals a game in 35.3 minutes on the court the previous season. Mitchell made more than 46% of his field goals, including about 37% on his nine attempts per game from beyond the 3-point arc.

Due of Gilbert’s position, the Lakers might never be able to get Mitchell’s offensive skills, but if Garland becomes available instead, they might have a chance to sign him. In addition, Garland is a previous All-Star, a potent offensive player, and a combo guard.

Although he averaged more than 21.5 points a game in each of the previous two years, he scored 18 points per game in the previous campaign.