The possibility of the Lakers acquiring Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell has been a topic of discussion, with reports indicating the Lakers may be interested in pairing Mitchell with LeBron James and Anthony Davis to form a potent “Big Three.” However, this potential deal faces several challenges.

First and foremost, the Cavaliers appear confident in their ability to sign Mitchell to a lucrative contract extension this offseason, potentially making him unavailable for trade. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, there is “growing optimism and confidence” within the Cavaliers organization that they will reach a new four-year, $209 million extension with Mitchell. Additionally, the team’s hiring of Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach is seen as a move that could help secure Mitchell’s long-term commitment.

Assuming the Cavaliers are successful in extending Mitchell, the reported asking price from the Lakers would be significant. The proposal includes sending Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and a 2029 first-round pick to Cleveland. While Mitchell’s talents are undeniable, this trade package may be viewed as too steep for the Lakers, who would need to maintain sufficient depth and future draft capital to build a championship-caliber roster around James and Davis.

Ultimately, the likelihood of the Lakers acquiring Donovan Mitchell appears to hinge on the Cavaliers’ ability to lock him up with a long-term extension. If Mitchell becomes available, the Lakers would need to carefully weigh the cost of the trade against the potential benefits of adding a star-caliber player to their roster. However, with the Cavaliers’ reported confidence in retaining Mitchell, the chances of this blockbuster trade materializing may be slim in the near future.