Trading Donovan Mitchell would be the end of the current Cleveland Cavaliers playoff run originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.If the Cleveland Cavaliers bow out early in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, there's every chance the franchise will blow up the roster for next season. Donovan Mitchell is about to enter the final two years of his contract after this postseason.

If the Cavs continue to disappoint in the playoffs, he may not want to extend his deal with the Cavaliers. He appears to love Cleveland, but at the end of the day, he wants to win an NBA title and may want to look elsewhere to achieve that career goal. The Cavs seem to appreciate that, and according to Fred Katz of The Athletic, the Cavs are willing to trade Mitchell if he doesn't re-up his contract with Cleveland.

Mitchell is the key to not only the on-court schemes but also the off-court roster construction. With Mitchell, you know how to build the team out. In fact, this whole team is built and structured around Mitchell and his playstyle.

Without him, this club can't win. Not just because of his talent, but because of the ripple effects that his departure would cause. If the Cavs do move on from Mitchell (or vice versa), then it's likely the club will all but be forced to blow up the roster.

James Harden will opt not to re-sign with the Cavs in the 2026 offseason without Mitchell here, and if both star guards leave, then guys like Dean Wade, Keon Ellis, Thomas Bryant, and Larry Nance Jr. are likely gone in free agency. At which point you'll need to shed salary, so guys like Max Strus, Jarrett Allen, and Dennis Schroder will likely be traded. Some of them, like Strus and Allen, could likely net you draft picks, which you'll need if you're doing a full teardown.More: Cleveland Cavaliers' offense shines, but the defense has work to do as the Toronto Raptors series moves to Game 2If Mitchell doesn't want to re-sign with the Cavaliers, this is exactly what should happen.

It's not something the fandom wants, as Mitchell has been incredible for the Cavaliers. He's been an MVP-caliber performer and one of the best guards in the NBA since arriving. Yet, if he's not willing to commit to the club long-term, which is his choice, then the Cavs have to try to recoup whatever they can for him.

The Cavs gave up talent like Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton, as well as five draft picks (three unprotected and two swaps) to acquire Mitchell. They won't land that in return, but they can maybe get one or two first-round picks and a young, solid building block for the future. Not an obvious top prospect, but someone with real upside.

And it's what they should do. If the Cavs get bounced early in the playoffs, Cleveland should pivot and build around Evan Mobley. Maybe you keep a Sam Merrill, Tyrese Proctor, Craig Porter, and Jaylon Tyson, but for the most part, this starting five would likely look radically different in the fall of 2026. More NBA news: Lakers predicted to build around Luka Doncic, trade $53.8 million 23.3 PPG breakout starWarriors predicted to land $101 million Lakers superstar to help Stephen Curry win fifth titleCeltics sign 26-year-old ex-Raptors history-making guard to help Jaylen Brown in playoffs