Kofi Inkoom
The Memphis Grizzlies and the Houston Rockets have emerged as potential contenders for Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, with the Grizzlies considered ‘dark horses’ in this sweepstakes, according to Cavaliers beat writer Evan Dammarell
Donovan Mitchell’s season with the Cleveland Cavaliers concluded after he missed the team’s final two playoff games against the Boston Celtics.
Teams are now vying to secure the services of the five-time All-Star. The latest entrants into the race are the Houston Rockets and the Memphis Grizzlies, while the Knicks, Nets, Miami, and the Lakers are also closely monitoring Spida’s sweepstakes.
Dammarell wrote “Those same sources have confirmed the reporting that the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, and Miami Heat are interested in acquiring Mitchell if he becomes available. But a separate source did share that the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies could also be teams worth monitoring in a possible Mitchell sweepstakes.”
While the Grizzlies will face stiff competition in their pursuit of Mitchell, they possess the assets and resources to present a compelling offer, potentially reshaping the landscape of the Western Conference significantly. However, the Grizzlies’ success could hinge on whether Morant can maintain his performance consistently during a deep playoff run.
For the Rockets, the key question revolves around Mitchell’s willingness to commit to a new contract with a team still in the midst of rebuilding and yet to achieve a winning record. Without such assurance, Houston’s bid could be risky, given the possibility of Mitchell leaving in 2025 without compensation.
If Mitchell shows a willingness to extend his tenure with the Rockets, Houston boasts appealing assets, including a core group of promising first-round picks, the No. 3 selection in the upcoming draft, and multiple unprotected first-round picks via Brooklyn over the next three years.
However, the Rockets must balance their desire to acquire Mitchell with the retention of their promising young talent. Should Mitchell express a preference for Houston, it could influence negotiations, potentially reducing the asking price due to decreased competition from other teams.