Donovan Mitchell is now on the cusp of returning. The Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard had been in and out of the lineup since the start of the month, first due to his left knee bone bruise and subsequent platelet-rich plasma injection, and then due to a nose injury. However, after undergoing a medical procedure to realign the nasal fracture, Mitchell is eyeing a return to court. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Mitchell is “targeting” a return as soon as the team’s home game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.

Spida picked up the said nose injury in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Houston Rockets on March 16. During a scramble for a defensive rebound, teammate Triston Thompson’s right elbow inadvertently connected with Mitchell’s nose, sending Mitchell to the locker room with a bloody nose.

Mitchell’s yet another amazing year has been instrumental in Cleveland’s quest for a second consecutive 50-win season. Before the injury, he was averaging 27.4 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game. And it is safe to say that the Cavs sorely missed his presence. The team has been freefalling since losing him, going 5-9 without Mitchell since the All-Star break. The result? This rough stretch has put their hold on the third seed in jeopardy, as the fourth-seeded New York Knicks are now breathing down their necks with only half a game cushion between the two. However, with Evan Mobley back and imminent comebacks from Max Strus and now Mitchell, things could be looking up just in time.

Donovan Mitchell’s future with the Cavs

Despite the Cavaliers’ success this season and their efforts to surround him with complimentary pieces, there have been murmurs about Mitchell’s discontent with the team. Throughout the season, anytime adversity would strike the Cavs, the trade narrative would make a comeback. Mitchell’s contract has a $37 million player option for the 2025–26 season. Therefore, he can either sign a long-term extension with the Cavaliers or exercise his player option.

If he decides to test free agency, he has a few suitors for his services. Earlier this year, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Miami Heat have a “bona fide interest” in trading for Mitchell. The Brooklyn Nets could also use Mitchell’s dynamic scoring, forming a lethal one-two punch with Mikal Bridges. The Los Angeles Lakers have also been linked to Mitchell since before the trade deadline. While the Lakers did not have sufficient assets at the time, they’ll be able to trade three draft picks in the offseason, enough to present an enticing offer for the five-time NBA All-Star.

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However, the team that is widely perceived as the landing spot for Mitchell is the New York Knicks, who he was linked with before being traded to Cleveland from Utah. While the trade did not work out then, maybe it will in the coming offseason. Which team would you like to see Spida play for? Let us know in the comments!

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