AP source: Cavaliers acquiring All-Star G Mitchell from Jazz

A person familiar with the trade tells AP the Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to acquire All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell in a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz

ByTOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer
September 1, 2022, 5:10 PM
Donovan Mitchell
FILE - Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) looks at the scoreboard as he runs up the court during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 31, 2022, in Salt Lake City. The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to acquire All-Star guard Mitchell in a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
The Associated Press

CLEVELAND -- Donovan Mitchell is going east.

The All-Star guard is on his way to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who acquired one of the NBA's best scorers Thursday in a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

Cleveland is sending guard Collin Sexton, forward Lauri Markkanen and rookie guard Ochai Agbaji along with three unprotected first-round picks to the Jazz, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because it still must be approved by the league.

ESPN was the first to report Mitchell's exit from Utah.

There had been speculation for months that Mitchell might get moved, and it appeared the New York Knicks were the frontrunner for him. Cleveland, though, jumped in and added a player that could push them into title contention.

Mitchell can take over a game, and he'll give Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff a late-game option.

The Cavs are also giving up unprotected first-round picks in 2025, 2027 and 2029 and swapping picks in 2026 and 2028, said the person.

A three-time All-Star in five seasons with Utah, the 25-year-old Mitchell is one of the league’s elite backcourt players and his acquisition could push the Cavs, who won 44 games last season — a 22-game improvement — with a young nucleus, among the top teams in the loaded Eastern Conference.

Mitchell, who averaged 25.9 points per game last season, will pair in Cleveland with All-Star point guard Darius Garland. He'll also play with All-Star center Jarett Allen and forward Evan Mobley, who had a strong rookie season averaging 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks.

Mitchell signed a five-year, $163 million contract in 2020 and is under contract through the 2026 season.

Cleveland also has Garland and Allen locked up to long-term deals.

The 23-year-old Sexton missed last season with a knee injury and was a restricted free agent. He's a proven scorer, but became expendable for Cleveland due to Garland's development and the club's talented frontline.

Sexton will sign a four-year, $72 million contract as part of a sign-and-trade agreement with Utah, his agent Rich Paul confirmed for AP.

This is the second major trade during this offseason for Utah, which started its rebuild in July by trading All-Star center Rudy Gobert to Minnesota.

Markkanen averaged 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds in his first season with the Cavs, who made the play-in round last season before losing to Brooklyn and Atlanta.

Agbaji was drafted by Cleveland with the No. 14 overall pick this year after helping Kansas win a national championship.

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