Why the Cavs Do It
This is by no means a trade that Cleveland should actively seek out. Re-signing Mitchell (2025-26 player option) is Plan A—and, according to team governor Dan Gilbert, it remains the most likely outcome.
Still, the end of the Cavs' 2024 playoff push could undermine the entire situation. A first-round exit or unconvincing second-round bow-out against the Boston Celtics may prompt Mitchell to reevaluate his future. If he decides he'd rather play elsewhere, his impending free agency gives him a level of control over where he goes next.
This is different from saying the Cavaliers must accept whatever from whichever team he prefers. But they can't expect to recoup everything they sent out to get him in the first place, regardless of where they send him.
People tend to troll the Lakers' trade offers. Sometimes, that makes sense. But three first-round picks, two first-round pick swaps (in years that the Cavs gave swap rights to Utah), Reaves, Hachimura and Hood-Schifino is a real offer.
Would it be the best on the table? Maybe not. Again, though, that's where Mitchell's 2025-26 player option enters the fold.
Reaves could slide into the starting backcourt slot alongside Darius Garland or come off the bench. His utility as a screener and cutter would also let Garland and Evan Mobley settle into higher-usage roles. Meanwhile, those firsts and swaps would give Cleveland a line to cost-controlled depth—or another trade.
Why the Lakers Do It
Three-star models are more fragile than ever as the NBA ushers in the Second Apron Era. If I ran the Lakers, I'd be looking to deepen my rotation rather than attempting to net another marquee name.
In this case, however, the three-star model has merit. LeBron James (player option) turns 40 in December. If you're going to mortgage the vast majority of your future draft capital, targeting someone who immediately elevates your ceiling while safeguarding you against a LeBron decline or retirement makes sense.
Mitchell can do that. At 27, his window mostly aligns with that of a 31-year-old Anthony Davis. Although Mitchell isn't a traditional floor general, he is a talented enough passer and off-the-dribble shot-maker to weaponize an entire offense.
He also happens to be a more seamless fit beside LeBron than someone like Trae Young. Mitchell has more experience playing away from the ball and at different cadences. He doesn't have as many defensive warts compared to Young, either. On top of everything else, his 2024-25 salary ($35.4 million) is easier to match in a trade.
Whether the Lakers wish to include virtually everything for someone inching toward another max deal is debatable. They can try using Mitchell's effectively expiring contract to retain one of their firsts or swaps. But if that approach fails, it shouldn't be a deal-breaker.
The Lakers' timeline is the same as LeBron's timeline: right the hell now. Mitchell jibes with that urgency while offering a fairly sturdy bridge into the future.