Donovan Mitchell has the option of entering free agency next summer, and that possibility might already be keeping Cleveland Cavaliers fans (and front office members) up at night. B/R's Eric Pincus previously relayed that Mitchell is "all but certain to decline his $37.1 million player option for the 2025-26 season," and "barring a run to the NBA Finals," he is expected to "decline an extension and look elsewhere."

The latest whispers added more fuel to the Mitchell-is-a-major-flight-risk fire.

"That (Mitchell situation) is very real," an anonymous NBA executive told The Athletic's Josh Robbins and Sam Amick. "Teams will definitely clear out a bunch of (assets) for him. We'll see. But if they face Boston in the second round, they'll probably lose. And yeah, that doesn't bode well (for his future in Cleveland)."

If the Cavs move on from Mitchell, they'll need to find a trade partner capable of refilling their asset collection. Why not the Memphis Grizzlies? They still have several unpaid draft credits, plus they could dangle a possible plug-and-play replacement for Mitchell in Desmond Bane, who's young enough (25) to grow with this core and established enough (23.7 points and 5.5 assists this season) to help lead it.

Memphis and Cleveland could quibble on the pick total—three future firsts feels about right, maybe a fourth if the Grizzlies get a long-term commitment from Mitchell—but if that gets ironed out, there would be win-win potential.

A healthy Ja Morant might be the best sidekick whom Mitchell has had to date. Those two prolific, turbo-charged guards could put immense pressure on opposing defenses. While neither is exactly a shutdown stopper, they'd have sufficient protection around them in two recent Defensive Player of the Year winners, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart.

Meanwhile, Cleveland could remain plenty competitive with Bane in Mitchell's place. Bane, who's less ball-dominant and better as both a three-point shooter and defender than Mitchell, could prove to be a better backcourt fit with Darius Garland. The Cavaliers would also land multiple picks to either keep and develop or flip in separate deals to cover up weak spots elsewhere.

Zach Buckley covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on X, @ZachBuckleyNBA.