Could the Cavaliers trade Mitchell? US media lists 5 potential destinations and trade packages: Rockets could land him in a 4-for-1 swap

On May 28, Beijing time, prominent US outlet Bleacher Report examined Mitchell's future, listing five possible teams and trade packages. Here's the breakdown —

Before chasing superstars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James, Cleveland needs to resolve Donovan Mitchell's situation. Now 29, Mitchell's contract has just one guaranteed season remaining. The seven-time All-Star can sign a four-year, $272 million extension on July 8. If he inks that deal, his total salary over the next five years would reach $322 million, averaging $64.4 million annually.

The Cavaliers now face tough choices: After getting swept in the Eastern Conference Finals and posting only an 8-10 playoff record, is Mitchell willing to stay with this team and extend? And even if he stays, is Cleveland willing to pay him that huge contract? The team is still not sure if he can be the definitive top option for a championship contender.

If the answer to either or both of those questions is no, then the two sides will likely agree to work together on a trade.

However, the Cavaliers cannot completely rebuild at this stage: When they acquired Mitchell in 2022, they sent out their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks. Thus, Cleveland can only bring back players who can contribute immediately, and any new additions need to align with the timeline of 24-year-old Evan Mobley.

Below are the five potential destinations and trade packages for Mitchell, ranked from lowest to highest mutual fit —

5. New Orleans Pelicans

Pelicans receive: Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell

Cavaliers receive: Small forward Trey Murphy III, guard Jeremiah Fears, forward Saddiq Bey, center Kevon Looney, 2028 unprotected first-round pick

The Pelicans will be a team to watch this offseason. The franchise restructured its front office last summer and now has a new head coach, Jamal Mosley. The roster features an interesting mix: young talents like Fears, Quin, and Missi, along with rising veterans such as Zion Williamson, Murphy, and Herb Jones.

A backcourt pairing of Dejounte Murray and Mitchell would be very appealing for New Orleans, alongside Jones, Zion, and Quin up front, giving the team a significant boost. The Pelicans played close to .500 basketball over the final two-plus months of the season, and this trade could help them push for a playoff berth next year.

For Cleveland, Murphy is exactly the type of quality small forward the team has been seeking for years.

The 25-year-old averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, knocking down 3.2 threes per contest at a 37.9% clip. His contract, worth $87 million over the remaining three years, will only look more appealing as time passes.

Fears, the seventh overall pick in the 2025 draft, averaged 14.3 points and 3.4 assists as a rookie, learning from James Harden while also being able to start alongside the future Hall of Famer. Bey, returning from an ACL tear, put up a steady 17.7 points per game, and Looney provides reliable backup center minutes. Add in an unprotected 2028 first-rounder, and this package should be enough to tempt Cleveland.

4. Philadelphia 76ers

76ers receive: Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, swingman Max Strus

Cavaliers receive: Swingman VJ Edgecombe, forward Paul George, 2026 first-round pick (No. 22)

Edgecombe had a standout rookie season and is essentially untouchable. The 20-year-old started all 75 games he played, averaging 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest.

But if Philadelphia can pair Mitchell with Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt while shedding George's contract, the front office will seriously consider it.

Either way, the 32-year-old Joel Embiid remains on the roster with three years and $187.9 million left on his deal. If Embiid stays healthy, a Maxey-Mitchell backcourt could become one of the league's best, immediately thrusting the 76ers back into title contention.

For Cleveland, the duo of Edgecombe and Mobley forms a long-term foundation on both ends of the floor. George, averaging 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, reunites with Harden, ensuring the Cavaliers remain a playoff team in the short term. The additional first-round pick helps the team build a younger core around Mobley and Edgecombe.

The Cavaliers might dip slightly next season, but their long-term outlook becomes clearer. Once George and Harden's contracts expire in a year or two, the team's cap sheet will be much more flexible.

3. Houston Rockets

Rockets receive: Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell

Cavaliers receive: Forward Jabari Smith Jr., guard Reed Sheppard, forward Dorian Finney-Smith, 2027 first-round pick (via Suns)

If Cleveland is reluctant to send Mitchell to an Eastern Conference team, Houston is an ideal trade partner. The Rockets' struggles last season were largely due to backcourt play, and this team is just one piece away from being a contender.

A starting lineup of Fred VanVleet, Mitchell, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Alperen Sengun, plus restricted free agents like Tari Eason and Adams coming off the bench, would be enough to challenge the West's elite.

The 23-year-old Smith has star potential and could take another leap with a larger role. Pairing him with Mobley gives Cleveland a frontcourt loaded with size, length, and athleticism, though interior physicality remains a weakness. Smith is on a five-year, $122 million extension, which could become a bargain if his role is defined well.

Sheppard, like Smith and Mobley, was the No. 3 overall pick and showed major growth in his second season. In 21 starts, he averaged 15.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks, shooting 38.5% from three.

Finney-Smith is the tall, defensive-minded wing Cleveland needs, and the 2027 Suns first-rounder carries considerable value.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

Thunder receive: Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell

Cavaliers receive: Swingman Jalen Williams, guard Cason Wallace

If the Thunder win the championship again, they won't make a deal that alters the team's core. But if they fall short against the Spurs or Knicks, the front office might reconsider its approach.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Mitchell complement each other well: SGA thrives by getting to the rim, while Mitchell attempts 8.8 three-pointers per game, third most in the league.

Jalen Williams struggled with a hamstring injury this season, averaging just 17.7 points — a concern for Oklahoma City.

As long as medical checks show no lingering issues, pairing Williams with Mobley gives Cleveland a core for the next five to ten years. The 25-year-old wing is already an All-Star, All-NBA Second Team, and All-Defensive Team member with a championship ring, so his pedigree is unquestioned.

Wallace is Cleveland's top target in this deal; if negotiations stall, the Cavs could pivot to Isaiah Joe or Aaron Wiggins.

Imagine this trade happening and the two teams meeting again in the 2027 Finals — that would be quite a story.

1. San Antonio Spurs

Spurs receive: Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell

Cavaliers receive: Shooting guard Dylan Harper, swingman Devin Vassell

San Antonio would prefer to develop its young core around Victor Wembanyama gradually, without rushing to add a win-now star like Mitchell. But if Wembanyama pushes the front office to bring in veterans to help compete with the Thunder, their approach could change.

A backcourt trio of Mitchell, De'Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle offers scoring, playmaking, and defense. Harper has a higher ceiling, but right now and for the next few years, Mitchell is the better player. The Spurs are already a title favorite; adding Mitchell makes them even stronger, so the logic is clear.

If Cleveland decides it must trade Mitchell, Harper would be their primary target.

As the second overall pick in 2025, Harper served as the team's sixth man this season, putting up modest numbers: 11.8 points and 3.9 assists per game with 34.3% three-point shooting. But his talent is evident. His game blends elements of James Harden and Cade Cunningham, especially his finishing through contact around the rim.

A Harper-Mobley pairing won't get the Cavs to the Eastern Conference Finals in the short term, but it would keep them in the playoffs with tremendous upside. Vassell, 25, is a quality two-way wing who would immediately slot in as Cleveland's starting small forward.