Skip Bayless sees no way the Los Angeles Lakers can pull off a trade for Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell, and his take may not be as hot as it seems.
The Los Angeles Lakers held off on making moves at today’s NBA trade deadline in hopes that they can acquire All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell this Summer.
However, one prominent talking head views the mere thought of the Cavaliers sending Mitchell to the Lakers as outrageous.
Skip Bayless dismisses Lakers’ Donovan Mitchell trade intentions
FS1 analyst Skip Bayless took to Undisputed to voice his take on the newly surfaced rumors.
Bayless’ staunch position clashed with co-hosts Keyshawn Johnson and Michael Irvin, but did err on the side of pragmatism considering how much of an impact Mitchell has had on the Cavaliers’ success. He could not refrain from scoffing at the premise, saying:
“This Donovan Mitchell pie in the sky is all time Laker delusion. It’s entitlement. It’s arrogance. It’s like, what are you talking about?” Bayless asserted.
“WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?”@RealSkipBayless says the Lakers are delusional if they believe they can acquire Donovan Mitchell in the offseason pic.twitter.com/lK9wzzw39Z
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) February 8, 2024
Never shy to sound off, Bayless’ assessment hit the nail on the head. The Cavaliers (33-16) are looking like they can win it all this year and Mitchell is the biggest reason why.
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Outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers do not have any one player that matches up with Mitchell and his 28.5 points per contest, and neither do they possess the immediate draft capital to send to Cleveland for what would amount to a retooling of the roster.
The New Orleans Pelicans either own or have the right to swap any of the Lakers’ three 1st round picks between 2024 and 2026.
Would Mitchell make the Lakers runaway title favorites?
Mitchell to the Lakers would break the internet just as much as it would the power that the other teams in the Western Conference have over them as presently constructed.
Reports have circulated for months that while Mitchell is content in Cleveland, he has had wandering eyes. The New York Knicks were labeled as the team with the best chances of landing the five-time All-Star though a deal never materialized.
Laker Nation would have a ball if general manager Rob Pelinka could somehow unite Mitchell with James and Davis. Such a big three would be as potent on paper as there is in the league. The off-season will reveal whether or not a deal takes shape.