With the recent reports regarding Cleveland Cavaliers’ Darius Garland and Evan Mobley missing multiple weeks due to injuries, there has been a sudden spark of trade rumors regarding All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell potentially being traded to the Nets. While there are many fans that would advocate trading for Mitchell, the Nets should hold back their assets and wait.
Mitchell this season is averaging an impressive 27.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, & 5.1 assists on 58% TS, while Mitchell would undoubtedly raise the ceiling of the Nets, it is a very risky move due to Mitchell’s upcoming 2025 free agency assuming he opts out of his player option.
Assuming the Nets were to pull off a Mitchell trade by the deadline, it would suddenly raise the standard of success for this Nets team, if the Nets are unable to make a deep playoff run after trading for Mitchell, what is stopping him from leveraging his 2025 free agency and potentially going to a much better situation, similar to what James Harden did during the 2022 trade deadline, and what Kyrie Irving did at the 2023 trade deadline. According to NBA Insider, Sham Charania, Mitchell wants to win a championship, not simply make the playoffs. If the Nets are unable to win with Mitchell, he could easily walk in free agency.
Something else the Nets need to consider is the asking price for Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, 3 1sts round picks, & 2 1st round pick swaps in exchange for Mitchell. It would be naive to assume the Cavaliers would trade Mitchell for a discount after investing so much into him. While Mitchell is an incredible player, the Nets would not be a contender after trading for him, another move would be required assuming the Nets have enough assets available after trading for Mitchell.
There is also the concern of how the trade would affect the development of Nets guard Cam Thomas. While Mitchell is better than Thomas is currently, Thomas is averaging 22.7 points on 53% TS at the age of 22. It is not unreasonable to believe Thomas can turn into a player of Donovan Mitchell’s level in one or two years, in addition the Nets have Thomas’ Restricted Free Agency rights in 2025, allowing the Nets to sign him for an additional 4-5 years while making less money than Mitchell.
An argument in favor of trading for Mitchell is his desire to play in New York, however if that is the case, why not wait until Mitchell is a free agent in 2025? Simmons’ contract will be off the books by then and the Nets should be able to generate enough cap space to sign Mitchell outright without having to give up draft picks.
Overall, it would be wise of the Nets to exercise patience and see what is available before investing assets into another blockbuster trade.
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