According to the latest report of Shams Salania, a famous NBA reporter, the Rockets formally proposed a trade proposal to the Cavaliers, which would use the third pick in the first round of the 2024 draft to package other assets in exchange for the all-star guard Donovan Mitchell.
The most important thing for the Cavaliers is to solve Mitchell's problem, extend the contract or complete the transaction to stabilize the team quickly. Mitchell's contract still has two years of $73 million, and the 2025-26 season is a player option. Although many sources said that the Cavaliers are confident of completing the contract renewal, Mitchell himself did not give a commitment, and his agent Ty Sullivan said he is open to joining the Knicks or Nets.
"Mitchell's contract renewal attitude forced the Cavaliers to consider trading options." Salania said, "The Lakers, the Nets, the Pelican, the Grizzlies and the Rockets all contacted the Cavaliers' management to try to get Mitchell. The Rockets' general manager Rafael Stone gave a preliminary trading quotation plan, and was willing to take the 2024 exploratory signing as the main bargaining chip for Mitchell." The Rockets can also provide more draft rights. Paul's first round draft right of Thunder or Nets in 2025, the first round draft right of Nets in 2026, and the first round draft right exchange right of Nets in 2027 are chips. In addition, the Rockets can send out a promising young player.
Salania said that the Rockets focus on getting star players who can help the team on the offensive side. Last summer, the Rockets signed Van Flitt and Dillon Brooks respectively, which improved the team's record to 41 wins, and there were still five games to go into the play off. The management and coaching team of the Rockets believe that they need to significantly improve the offensive side of the Rockets. This season, the average offensive efficiency of 114.3 points is the 16th in the league, and the three-point shooting rate is 35.2%, the 23rd in the league. The offensive efficiency is very low.
Mitchell has the ability to raise the Rockets' attack to the top level of the league. This season, he averaged 26.6 points and 6.1 assists, with a shooting percentage of 46.2% and a three-point shooting percentage of 36.8%. He averaged 9 shots and 3.3 hits per game. The management of the Rockets firmly believes that Mitchell, an experienced guard, is highly competitive with Shen Jing, Jay Green and Jabari Smith, and will be a very threatening team in the West. "The news confirms that the Rockets and Cavaliers have made significant progress in the transaction negotiation." Salania said, "The Cavaliers have proposed Amen Thompson and Whitmore as the return of the transaction. Amen Thompson is the focus of the bargaining between the two sides. After resolving this disagreement, the transaction will be close to completion."
As the fourth rookie in the first round, Amen Thompson averaged 9.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 62 games this season, and contributed 13.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 23 games as the first round, which can be said to have a promising future. "It's a hard decision to give up Amen Thompson. The Rockets like this young player very much." Salania said, "but Mitchell has the opportunity to make the Rockets a championship team immediately. Amen Thompson still needs several years to grow."
"Most of the Rockets and Cavaliers reached a consensus around Mitchell's trade negotiations." Salania said, "What is the determination of the Rockets now? Is it worth paying more for Mitchell?" The trading plan proposed by the Rockets, including three first round draft rights, Brooks or Van Flitt will be sent out as the contract matching Mitchell. After the transaction is completed, Mitchell can renew his contract for 4 years and 200 million dollars in advance, or sign a super contract for 5 years and 270 million dollars next year.
Shen Jing, Jay Green and Jabari Smith are enough to make the Rockets have a future and get the hope that Mitchell can guarantee success at the moment. For the Rockets, it is not an unacceptable price to pack Amen Thompson with three draft rights, including the exploratory draw.
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