Scottie Barnes is a rising star in the league, particularly because of his elite defensive tools and versatility. What he needs is an offensive co-star to step up beside him and take the Toronto Raptors to the next level.
Brandon Ingram is not the answer, for all that he inexplicably made the All-Star Game and is capable of scoring at volume. RJ Barrett is good, but he's not breaking down defenses as a top-20 offensive threat. Immanuel Quickley is too injured and too bland to be the guy.
Could Donovan Mitchell be the answer? And for the first time since he arrived in Cleveland, could the All-NBA shooting guard be available this summer?
Maybe and maybe.
Donovan Mitchell could be available
The Cavaliers are reeling after a 4-0 demolition at the hands of the New York Knicks. They have already announced that they intend to bring back head coach Kenny Atkinson and his coaching staff, and by implication, it appears that top decision-maker Koby Altman is coming back.
What about Mitchell? He is eligible to sign a massive contract extension this summer, putting pen to paper to affirm his commitment to the Cavaliers. If he does so, all trade rumors would hush for at least another year.
If he does not, however, suddenly a wealth of possibilities open up. Can Cleveland go into next season, burdened by the trauma of this playoff disaster and feeling the pressure of expectations, with Mitchell a pending free agent? That seems like too much for this team to carry.
Mitchell made it onto MVP ballots after finishing 5th last season, and his ability to score in bunches is absolutely enticing for many teams. While the rest of his team no-showed Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Mitchell showed up as a scorer and vocal teammate. Other teams would have noticed.
Could Cleveland retool their roster by moving on from Mitchell? It has to be considered if they don't have a new contract extension in place. And if he is available, the Raptors should place the phone call.
Mitchell would look great beside Scottie Barnes
Toronto doesn't have the same level of cachet trading for stars as it did under Masai Ujiri, but they still come up whenever a star name hits the trade market. If the Cavaliers are taking calls, they will get one from the Raptors.
It also makes a ton of sense on the court. Barnes is an underrated playmaker and can score from all areas inside the arc, but he is not an on-ball heliocentric star. Giving him a co-star who can create a shot for himself and others would be a dream come true.
Few players in the league are capable of the offensive explosions that Mitchell is, who dropped 71 points a couple of seasons ago. He has scored 50 or more in the playoffs three separate times. And he just led a team to the Eastern Conference Finals. He has real verve for a team that desperately needs some.
The cost will obviously matter, especially as the Cavaliers probably don't want bad salary and picks alone for Mitchell. A third team, perhaps more, will need to be brought in. It will cost the Raptors a good amount.
Even so, the cost could be worth it. The fit looks incredible. The upside is tantalizing. The highlights will be exciting. And the hope will be rekindled.
The Raptors were not the better team this year when they lost to the Cavaliers in seven games. They might be the better team next year by taking advantage of Cleveland's own chaos.
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