'Nobody is Safe' For Cavaliers If They Don't Make It to THIS Level in Playoffs
“I feel secure in saying if the Cavs don’t make the conference finals, nobody is safe. Top down. Everyone’s fair game to be traded.”
Does that even include Donovan Mitchell? The explosive combo guard and 7-time All-Star is in his fourth season in Cleveland, and with the big "win-now" trade at the deadline, acquiring James Harden, it's Go Time for the Cavs. Or else.
"There is a scenario here where the Cavs decide that it’s better for them to move on from Donovan,” Watkins wrote.
Spida has one or two more years (player option in '27-'28) remaining on his contract, with a $50 million AAV. By reaching the NBA's 10-year service criteria in the summer of 2027, he would be eligible at that time to pursue a five-year extension worth more than $380 million.
Donovan Mitchell could be traded this summer if Cavaliers flame out in playoffs
But ESPN's Tim Bontemps told us earlier this season that Mitchell is "unlikely" to sign another extension with Cleveland if they don't go on a serious postseason run this year.
Mitchell could choose to opt out after tnext season and become a free agent that summer. The Cavs will need to think long and hard about a potential trade this July if they flame out early in the playoffs and don't win at least two series to get to the Eastern Finals.
One thing they cannot afford is to lose Spida after next season for nothing.
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