NBA Rumors: Topnotch 76ers trade target may not hit the market after all

With the Philadelphia 76ers having a rather ambitious head in Daryl Morey overseeing things, the franchise has become naturally coded to go all-in whenever it can. From running up the hill for blockbuster swaps to scavenging for less-heralded cogs, the front office has shown in recent years that standing pat is a mere last resort.

That mantra couldn’t be any truer this coming offseason, where the 76ers will have the war chest to function as a rabid shopper. In fact, the rumor mill has already started for the team, linking them to some of the biggest names expected to soon be available for plucking. The alphabet soup is not yet boiling, but its heat is definitely on the rise.

Rumored 76ers target Donovan Mitchell may not hit the shelves after all

One name that has been linked to Philly in some capacity within the last year is Donovan Mitchell, whose future in Cleveland remains shrouded in mystery. The five-time All-Star is a near-guarantee to decline his player option at the conclusion of next season, making him a flight risk who can leave the team for nothing in the summer of 2025.

However, it appears that the Cavaliers’ confidence in securing Mitchell for the near future is sky-high. According to the Associated Press, team owner Dan Gilbert expressed belief on Mitchell re-upping with Cleveland to lead their title pursuit.

"We’ve been talking to him, sure, for the last couple of years about extending this contract. We think he will extend. I think if you listen to him talk, he loves the city.

He loves the situation in Cleveland because our players are very young and we’re just kind of putting the core together that he’s clearly the biggest part of."

The 76ers, as previously mentioned here, have the tools to entice the Cavaliers into trading the superstar if they believe he’s not keen on staying in Cleveland. Philadelphia managed to recoup considerable draft stock early in the season, and the team’s available cap space makes them a natural holster for triggering potential sign-and-trades to incentivize the Cavs’ brass if ever.

Mitchell’s fit next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey also cannot be denied. The 27-year-old has played at an MVP level this season, but his game is more than malleable enough to still thrive next to high-usage guys, as he’s shown in Cleveland.