4 stars the 76ers should have on their 2023 Christmas wish list
2. Donovan Mitchell — SG (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Donovan Mitchell’s future in Cleveland remains a massive storyline to keep an eye on this year. The All-Star has already reiterated that he won’t be re-signing with the team this season, and while he has also emphasized that he will have the ability to do so next year, fans and pundits alike are expecting him and his camp to see what the market has in store for him.
Now, Mitchell will only be a free agent in 2025, but the prospect of him being the next big player in the trade market is legitimate. The Cavaliers have to at least conduct due diligence should teams try to pry him away from the team as soon as this season to avoid losing leverage next year and extracting only a fraction of Mitchell’s value.
The 76ers have the machinations to strike a deal for Mitchell with their slew of expiring deals and relatively ample horde of draft picks. Other teams can try to upend that deal, but Cleveland could very well try to slow play the situation and go for cap relief to accommodate looming extensions with some of their core players.
As mentioned before, Mitchell should be a fantastic fit in Philly. Between Embiid still dominating on the inside and Maxey making waves as a playmaker, the four-time All-Star can slide in to form perhaps the most intimidating Big Three in the Eastern Conference.