Blockbuster Trade Proposal Sends Donovan Mitchell To Grizzlies, Desmond Bane To Cavaliers

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report came up with the trade proposal. 

“If the Cavs move on from Mitchell, they’ll need to find a trade partner capable of refilling their asset collection,” Buckley wrote. “Why not the Memphis Grizzlies? They still have several unpaid draft credits, plus they could dangle a possible plug-and-play replacement for Mitchell in Desmond Bane, who’s young enough (25) to grow with this core and established enough (23.7 points and 5.5 assists this season) to help lead it.

“Memphis and Cleveland could quibble on the pick total—three future firsts feels about right, maybe a fourth if the Grizzlies get a long-term commitment from Mitchell—but if that gets ironed out, there would be win-win potential.”

Mitchell can sign an extension for up to four years and around $200 million this summer. The 27-year-old has a player option worth $37 million for the 2025-26 season.

Mitchell can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025 if he declines that player option. 

“A healthy Ja Morant might be the best sidekick whom Mitchell has had to date,” Buckley wrote. “Those two prolific, turbo-charged guards could put immense pressure on opposing defenses. While neither is exactly a shutdown stopper, they’d have sufficient protection around them in two recent Defensive Player of the Year winners, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart.”

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, there is a growing belief that the Cavaliers will be forced to trade Mitchell if an extension isn’t reached.

 Mitchell averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists this season for the Cavaliers while shooting 46.2% from the field, 36.8% from 3 and 86.5% from the free-throw line.

“Meanwhile, Cleveland could remain plenty competitive with Bane in Mitchell’s place,” Buckley wrote. “Bane, who’s less ball-dominant and better as both a three-point shooter and defender than Mitchell, could prove to be a better backcourt fit with Darius Garland. The Cavaliers would also land multiple picks to either keep and develop or flip in separate deals to cover up weak spots elsewhere.”

Mitchell has career averages of 24.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists with the Utah Jazz and Cavaliers. He scored a career-high 71 points last season against the Chicago Bulls.