McGrady suggests trading Mitchell as solution to Warriors’ problems originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
As Warriors fans and the NBA world at large ponder whether Golden State could hire Kevin Durant or LeBron James this offseason, seven-time All-Star Tracy McGrady has other ideas.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame recently featured Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell as a potential Warriors trade target, sharing his thoughts on why Golden State should go after the point guard to fill their scoring need.
“I think they need another goalscorer,” McGrady said in a video posted to Instagram (h/t Aro Homem Azul). “I still believe in Klay [Thompson]. I still believe in Steph [Curry]. Draymond [Green] He had a phenomenal season, he just needs to stop with the antics. Look at someone like Donovan Mitchell, right? I don’t think he’s happy in Cleveland.”
Mitchell is lighting it up for Cleveland during the 2024 NBA playoffs, averaging 28.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists in the Cavaliers’ opening-round victory in the seven-game series over the Orlando Magic. Now, Mitchell and company will face the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, with Game 1 set for Tuesday night.
Cleveland acquired Mitchell in a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season, and the five-time All-Star is under contract through the 2026 campaign after signing a five-year contract worth $. 163 million in 2020. He could opt out of his deal and become an unrestricted free agent in 2025, and speculation about his next move has run rampant.
However, Mitchell is eligible to sign a four-year extension worth up to about $200 million this summer based on the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, and Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert expressed optimism at the end of March that the two sides would reach an agreement. during an interview with the Associated Press.
But despite Gilbert’s assurance, could there be another blockbuster trade for Mitchell? With Thompson future in the Bay uncertain, the Warriors could certainly use a shooter like Mitchell. But leaving aside the free agency situation of their beloved Splash Bro, Golden State must take action this off-season to find some relief for Curry if the team wants to take a win-now approach to the 2024-25 campaign.
And if Mitchell refuses to commit to a long-term contract with Cleveland, the Cavaliers could try to ship him out and get whatever they can in return.
