The Cleveland Cavaliers and guard Donovan Mitchell have come to terms on a 4 year maximum contract extension which will see him earn $273M. The deal reportedly features a player option for the 2030-31 season, as well as a full trade kicker.
The deal is an interesting one as Mitchell technically could have waited until next summer to tack on an additional 5th year worth an extra $80M, but instead re-ups with Cleveland ahead of schedule. The 29 year old has one season remaining on his current deal, which was to be followed by a player option in 2027-28, but that year is now voided with the extension taking its place.
Mitchell has been named to the All-Star game in each of his four seasons in Cleveland, averaging 26.7 points, 5.3 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game in Cavs uniform. The team has reached the playoffs in each season Mitchell has been on the roster, but has yet to make it over the hump into the Finals during his tenure.
Originally drafted 13th overall by the Denver Nuggets back in 2017, the former Louisville standout was traded to Utah in a draft week deal for Tyler Lydon (the 24th overall pick) and Trey Lyles. He would go on to capture All-Rookie team honours and would spend 5 years with the Jazz before coming over to Cleveland in exchange for Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, 3 first round picks, and two pick swaps.
The 6’2″ guard has led the Cavaliers in points per game in each of the last 4 seasons and has finished top 7 in MVP voting in 3 out of his 4 seasons in Cleveland. As a result, the Cavs front office views him as an irreplaceable part of their roster, with GM Koby Altman regularly seeking Mitchell’s input on potential roster moves.
The biggest move currently on the team’s radar is whether a potential reunion with franchise icon LeBron James is in the cards this summer. James is currently a free agent and is reportedly being courted by Cleveland, Miami, Golden State, Philadelphia and Minnesota amongst others.
Photo: Erik Drost. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.