The Cleveland Cavaliers are hoping to contend for the NBA title after adding Donovan Mitchell and they may have the lineup to do it.
The Cavaliers have spent the last few years rebuilding their squad via the draft, hitting big on guys like Darius Garland and Evan Mobley.
Now they’re going all in via a trade to bring Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland.
On Thursday, the Cavs locked in a deal to send Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen and 2022 first-round pick Ochai Agbaji to the Jazz along with three future first-round picks in exchange for Mitchell.
The cost was high, but the lineup Cleveland will put out on the court this year as a result looks formidable.
Cavaliers projected starting lineup after trading for Donovan Mitchell
- PG: Darius Garland
- SG:Donovan Mitchell
- SF: Isaac Okoro
- PF: Evan Mobley
- C: Jarrett Allen
Garland and Allen are coming off All-Star seasons with the Cavaliers while Mitchell has been a perennial All-Star himself.
Evan Mobley was in the running for Rookie of the Year and has All-Star written all over him as well.
The only obvious weakness is Okoro, who was the No. 5 overall pick in 2020. If he reaches his potential, that starting five could be an All-Star five. If not, Cleveland just added Caris LeVert via trade and he could easily take on that role.
The oldest starter in that lineup is Mitchell at 25 years old. The youthful talent is ridiculous.
The Cavs rotation could also include the likes of Kevin Love, LeVert, Robin Lopez, Ricky Rubio, Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens, Dean Wade and Isaiah Mobley.
That team should be able to do some damage in the Eastern Conference with a definite shot of making it to the NBA Finals, if not this coming season then in the future.