There is a growing belief among rival teams that the Cleveland Cavaliers may be forced to trade Donovan Mitchell if they fail to reach an extension with him, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Mitchell has the option to sign a four-year extension worth around $200 million this summer. However, if he declines his player option for the 2025-26 season, he can become an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
Stein explains that if no extension is reached, the Cavaliers will likely be compelled to trade Mitchell in the coming months.
Several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Brooklyn Nets, have been linked to Mitchell, who does not have a no-trade clause in his contract.
The Cavs may be forced to trade Donovan Mitchell if he doesn’t agree to an extension this summer, per @TheSteinLine
“Mitchell will be entering the final guaranteed year of his current contract next season if there’s no extension, leading to a growing belief among rival teams… pic.twitter.com/ejQDPlMVls
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 11, 2024
Mitchell, known as one of the best players in the league, has been performing well this season, averaging 26.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game.
The Cavaliers currently hold the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference standings with a 47-33 record and could potentially face the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
Mitchell has had a successful career, averaging 24.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists with both the Utah Jazz and Cavaliers. He scored a career-high 71 points last season against the Chicago Bulls.
Although there is uncertainty about his future with the Cavaliers, Mitchell has expressed that he will handle the situation when the time is appropriate.
The team’s owner, Dan Gilbert, has confidence that Mitchell will sign a contract extension this summer, as they have been in talks with him for the past couple of years and believe he loves the city and the team’s young core.
If Mitchell signs an extension, he could be eligible for a four-year deal worth up to $200 million. It is clear that Mitchell’s presence is vital to the Cavaliers’ aspirations of winning a championship in the post-LeBron James era.
Fans reacted as follows.
Donovan Mitchell YOU are a Miami Heat (they probably miss on him 💔)
— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters) April 11, 2024
A Mitchell, Butler, Adebayo trio would be very intriguing
— Braxton Reynolds (@BReynolds200) April 11, 2024
They should he’s a known playoff dropper he’s gonna bring the team down
— 𝟚 (@PullUpShai) April 11, 2024
He’s not good enough to be making these demands.
— Spiritual🕉️Gangster (@2Swerdy) April 11, 2024
Low chance that he agrees to an extension. Has less to do with the team and more to do with its location.
— 𝓛𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓛𝓮𝓰𝓪𝓬𝔂 (@LatinLegacy) April 11, 2024
He’s overrated and washed up anyway
— Wealth Turtle 💰 🐢 (@wealth_turtle) April 11, 2024
Clearly he wants to be traded.
— Patrick Lac (@PatrickLac007) April 11, 2024
he don’t wanna be there send him to Miami
— Alpha Kabiné (@AlphaKabin4) April 11, 2024
FYI, Donovan Mitchell was the source of this rumor
— NYKnicksPodcast (@NYKnicksPodcast) April 11, 2024
Lakers should trade for him, but knowing them theyd find a way to screw it up
— NoahMuse (@JoakimMuse) April 11, 2024
Why would he want to stay in Cleveland when he looks at Brunson and thinks that should be me
— Squid (@sikane02) April 11, 2024
Is there an actual reason to leave? I don’t get if the Cavs have a good thing going for them why he wouldn’t stay?
— IrRashonal Sports (@IrRashonalSport) April 11, 2024
10% chance he agrees to an extension 😂
— Jeremy (@jeremy_mcaleer) April 11, 2024
