Report: Donovan Mitchell has Miami 'high' on list of trade destinations

Unless the Cavaliers pull off the upset of the century and beat the Celtics in their ongoing playoff series, Donovan Mitchell is widely expected to be on the trading block this summer. 

Several insiders have suggested that with Mitchell becoming a free agent in 2025, the Cavs could look to trade him preemptively to ensure they get pieces back to rebuild the team around Evan Mobley and Co.

According to Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus, Mitchell would prefer a trade to the Heat if the Cavaliers decide to move on from him this summer. 

"Of all the NBA guards, Mitchell may be the closest to Heat legend and Hall-of-Famer Dwyane Wade," Pincus wrote. "He will be 28 before next season (seven years younger than Jimmy Butler). He has a strong relationship with Bam Adebayo and is said (by multiple NBA insiders) to have Miami high on his list of destinations."

Mitchell's desire to go to Miami doesn't mean the Cavs acquiesce to his request. A year ago, Damian Lillard was in a similar position, making it public that he preferred a trade to the Heat. But the Blazers shipped him to Milwaukee instead. 

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Mitchell might not be the sole star available via trade this summer. 

On a recent episode of "NBA Countdown" on ESPN, Woj said he expects a host of players to enter "the NBA portal" this offseason. 

"It's going to be a different summer in the NBA," Wojnarowski said. "There will be a lot of guys entering the NBA portal, and there's going to be a lot of player movement this summer. Part of it is teams underachieving, but it's also part of the new salary cap and payrolls have to change."

The Heat are expected to be among those teams. They've already hinted at a roster overhaul ahead of the 2024-25 season. The acquisition of Mitchell could mark the dawn of a new era for the franchise.