Analyst Believes Cavs Could Make Surprising Move With Donovan Mitchell

The Cleveland Cavaliers have plenty of questions to answer right now.

They can’t seem to get past the second round of the playoffs, and while the front office seems to be fully committed to this group of players, anything can change if the right offer comes along.

With that in mind, and considering that assistant coach Johnnie Bryant might be a legitimate candidate to become head coach of the New York Knicks, analyst Ryan Tyler wondered whether that would lead to Donovan Mitchell following Bryant.

Tyler talked about how Bryant’s close relationship with Mitchell could lead to his departure.

“It goes back to that point: Can they get it done in the playoffs? Because if not, well, Donovan Mitchell, two years left on his contract. You’re not going to let him walk for nothing. Eventually you might have to consider trading him if you don’t get the job done. By the way, Johnnie Bryant didn’t get hired by the [Phoenix] Suns, so if he goes to the Knicks — by the way, who they called Johnnie Bryant Donovan Mitchell’s mentor and confidant — that would probably be a good recipe for Donovan Mitchell to go. … I’m just saying, it’s a trade to consider,” Tyler said, via the “Matt Fontana Show.”

Donovan Mitchell to the Knicks? @Ryantyler33 talks about the #Cavs playoff window and what happens if they can't win games. #LetEmKnow

"You're not going to let him walk for nothing, eventually you might have to consider trading him if you don't get the job done." pic.twitter.com/plBFzxbTuL

— Matt Fontana Show (@MattFontanaShow) June 11, 2025

Mitchell has been linked to the Knicks for years.

Before he signed a contract extension with the Cavaliers last offseason, word around the league was that he wanted to force his way to his hometown team.

As things stand now, Mitchell might be one of two untouchable players for Cleveland, with Evan Mobley the other.

Then again, the Knicks have been overly aggressive in adding stars to their roster, and a huge trade offer might change everything.

Also, it doesn’t necessarily need to happen this offseason.

If the Cavs choose to run it back with their core and fall short again, they might reconsider their stance about Mitchell.

There’s obviously a lot at play in this scenario, but this kind of deal has happened in the past.