By Rell Wright, Pelicans Contributor

According to some sources around the league, if Donovan Mitchell signs an extension with Cleveland, Darius Garland is expected to prefer a new home. A swap deal with New Orleans for Brandon Ingram is very much a real possibility this offseason. The Pelicans should also have interest in Cavs center Jarrett Allen. NBA Rival executives think the Cavs will have to seriously evaluate the fit of Mitchell and Garland and ultimately may have to choose one or the other. In newest report the Pelicans are interested in Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell if he declines an extension from the Cavaliers.

Mitchell has one year left on his contract at $35.4 million, following which he can become a free agent. The Cavaliers will offer him a four-year, $208.5 million contract extension this summer. Whether or not he signs it changes the direction of the Cavaliers this offseason. If he does not, the team has to consider trading him rather than letting him walk for nothing in the summer of 2025. Depending upon Mitchell’s decision, guard Darius Garland could end up on the trade block. The Cavaliers worked better this season with one center instead of two (putting more shooting and floor spacing around Mitchell and Garland), which means Jarrett Allen could be available. It’s going to be an interesting offseason in Cleveland.

Allen has two more years left on his contract with the Cavaliers and is expected to earn $20 million in each of those seasons. Darius Garland signed a five-year, $197,230,450 contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, including $197,230,450 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $39,446,090. There’s a lot of chatter linking Atlanta Hawks guards Trae Young or Dejounte Murray to Brandon Ingram and New Orleans, but a potential Cleveland trade could solve two major needs for the Pelicans for the upcoming season.