Former Teammate Predicts Donovan Mitchell Will Leave the Cavs

Donovan Mitchell is currently in his second season with the Cleveland Cavaliers after being traded there last summer. He has established himself as an offensive superstar in Cleveland, setting a single-game scoring record with a 71-point game last season.

With his impressive performance, along with an average of over 28 points per game, Mitchell has garnered a lot of interest from other teams. Now, one former teammate has spoken out, predicting Spida's next team.

Joe Ingles Speaks Out


The former teammate in question is Australian-born Joe Ingles, who played with Mitchell for all 5 of his seasons with the Utah Jazz. Ingles believes that Mitchell will eventually end up joining the New York Knicks.

«I think he'll play for New York one day, whether that's sooner or later,»

- Joe Ingles on Donovan Mitchell joining the Knicks

(Via https://t.co/HTe9fF2qxc) pic.twitter.com/kVNUllCsnD— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 3, 2023

Mitchell has been linked with the Knicks for a long time, and with them being Mitchell's hometown team, Ingles believes that the pairing would be great for not only him but the organization as a whole.


Can the Knicks Get Mitchell

The Knicks acquiring Mitchell might not be as easy as it sounds. For now, he is set to become a free agent in 2025, and without a long-term contract, it is risky to trade for a player. There is no guarantee that a player will extend with the team they are traded to.

It would also be hard for New York to sign him outright in free agency, as he will likely be seeking a high-end contract, and with their current roster, the Knicks wouldn't be able to find the room to sign him. The most likely option in this whole scenario would be a mixture of the two, with Mitchell doing a sign-and-trade with the Cavs.

Extending with the Cavs to be immediately traded to the Knicks seems like the best scenario, as the Knicks would be able to find room for Mitchell's salary, and Cleveland would avoid losing Mitchell with nothing in return.

Can the Cavaliers keep Mitchell

Of course, it is entirely possible that the Cavaliers could convince Mitchell to stay. He is a good enough player that most teams will be willing to offer lots of money. This means that Mitchell's decision could very well depend on how competitive a team will be or the location of the franchise.

The Knicks, as mentioned, are Mitchell's hometown team, so he will be eager to return home. But if he is looking to compete for a championship, then this season may give the Cavaliers a chance to win him over. A deep playoff run will surely affect Mitchell's decision somewhat, and if they show signs of becoming a future NBA champion, then it would be silly for Donovan to leave.

Credits
Hoops Habit