Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers are struggling after giving up a 2-0 series lead by dropping both Games 3 and 4 in Toronto. Mitchell and the Cavaliers are again staring down a potential early playoff exit and a long offseason set to be riddled with rumors. Could a team like the Milwaukee Bucks swoop in and acquire the guard if he hits the market? Never say never.
If Mitchell becomes available, the Bucks must pounce
For the Cavs, this isn’t just about advancing. It’s about validation. It’s about proving that this core, built around Mitchell, can actually contend when it matters. If that doesn’t happen? If they’re bounced early? That’s where things get uncomfortable.
There’s already been reporting that Cleveland could consider moving Mitchell this offseason if he doesn’t sign an extension, as reported by The Athletic's Fred Katz (subscription required). That’s not speculation, that’s the reality of the situation. He’s eligible for a massive deal, and if there’s hesitation on either side, the Cavaliers have a decision to make.
Extend him or pivot. And if they pivot, the door swings wide open. That’s where the Milwaukee Bucks come in. Because if there’s one team in the NBA that should be watching this situation closer than anyone else, it’s Milwaukee. Not just casually monitoring it, but aggressively preparing for it.
Bucks need another swing this summer
The Bucks don’t need another role player. They don’t need a marginal upgrade. If they’re going to reshape this roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo, they need a co-star who can carry offense, create in late-game situations, and take pressure off Giannis when defenses collapse. Mitchell checks every single one of those boxes. And more importantly, the timing could actually line up.
If Cleveland flames out early, there’s a very real chance Mitchell starts asking questions. It doesn’t guarantee anything, but it creates doubt. In the NBA, doubt is where movement begins, and then, suddenly, teams start making calls.
Milwaukee would be one of the first. They almost have to be with the current Giannis situation. Opportunities like this don’t come around often. A seven-time All-Star still in his prime, potentially available, with a skillset that perfectly complements Giannis’ interior dominance? That’s not something you overthink. That’s something you pursue.
Of course, it wouldn’t be simple. Cleveland wouldn’t just give him away, and the Bucks don’t exactly have a treasure chest of assets to throw around. But that’s not really the point. The point is access. If Mitchell becomes even remotely available, the Bucks need to be in the conversation. No hesitation. No second-guessing. Because this is how things shift in the NBA. Not with certainty.
Right now, the Cavaliers are feeling it. Two more losses, and that pressure might turn into something much bigger, something the Bucks have been waiting for without even knowing it. The unthinkable won't be so unthinkable anymore.
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