Not even a whole week after the Cavaliers said that they had pulled themselves out of the Donovan Mitchell trade talks the Cleveland Cavaliers are sending Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, three unprotected first-round picks, and two pick swaps for superstar guard Donavan Mitchell. The most significant return for the Utah Jazz was free agent Collin Sexton, who signed a 4-year $72 million guaranteed contract yesterday.
What does this trade mean for the Cavaliers’ near and far future? Does this trade make the Cavaliers a team to watch coming out of the Eastern Conference? Teams around the NBA should definitely take this Cavalier’s threat seriously.
Last season the Cavaliers had two first-time all-stars in Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen. They are now adding another three-time all-star in Mitchell. It was reported by Brian Windhorse that Mitchell was running around a golf course yelling with jow after he found out he was traded to Cleveland.
Mitchell seems thrilled with the trade
“I know that Donovan was very excited when he found out initially—when he found out that he was traded, No. 1, and 2, that he was traded to the Cavs and that the Cavs were not trading any of their three-star players for him,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said Thursday on his podcast (9:30 mark). According to Bleacher Report.com.
The NBA’s Eastern Conference is loaded right now. Between The Bucks, Nets, Heat, Celtics, 76ers, and now the Cleveland Cavaliers. Where does this trade place the Cavaliers seeding-wise in the east? If the Cavaliers can stay healthy with the addition of Donovan Mitchell the Cavaliers could easily be a top-four team in the Eastern Conference.
Mitchell is one of the league’s premiere scorers averaging 25.9 points per game last season and could elevate the Cavaliers team to new heights. The Cavaliers had already won 44 games last season without Mitchell and through many injuries to key players adding Mitchell to the mix is a huge boost in experience and talent.
A new duo in The Land
Mitchell and Garland are very excited to play together as they have already reached out via Twitter and are ready to get to work in The Land. Donovan Mitchell will be the oldest player in Cleveland’s potential starting line-up at 26 years old.
The City and organization of Cleveland are very excited to bring another star to The Land and they are ready to retake their former glory of four straight finals appearances and a Championship in 2016. Can the Cavaliers make another run this season? Only time will tell as we all await the coming season with excitement in the air.
Image Credits: Flickr.com.