While the Cleveland Cavaliers are confident about tying down Donovan Mitchell, the 5-time All-Star and 1-time All-NBA player still hasn’t committed to anything.
It took 4 years after the LeBron James era (ending at the end of the 2017-18 season) for the Cleveland Cavaliers to regain the aura of one of the top teams in the league.
In the last two seasons, the Cavaliers have ranked in the top-4 strongest teams in the East and had direct entry to the Playoffs. This season alone, they are ranked 3rd with a record of 45-29, closely following the second-place team Milwaukee Bucks (record 47-27).
The Cleveland Cavaliers are ranked 3rd in the East and are preparing to enter the Playoffs for the second year in a row
If we were to choose a name that has contributed greatly to helping Cleveland turn from a team that sat at home for four consecutive years watching the Playoffs back to the top position in the region’s rankings, it would definitely be All-Star defender Donovan Mitchell.
In two years with the Cavaliers, Mitchell is averaging 27.8 points, 5.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. The player born in 1996 was an All-Star in both seasons, and was also honored in the All-NBA 2nd Team last season.
This year, it will be difficult for Donovan Mitchell to win the individual title because he has only played 50 matches due to injury (not enough for the 65-match milestone set by the NBA). However, he is still the club’s number 1 star with more than 27 PPG and 6 APG all season.
After leaving the Utah Jazz, Donovan Mitchell is averaging 27.8 points, 5.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Donovan Mitchell’s influence at the Cleveland Cavaliers is undeniable. However, the future story between him and the team is a completely different matter.
Compiled from two reputable websites, The Athletic and ESPN, Donovan Mitchell is in the sights of a few big players, specifically the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.
Also according to ESPN, Mitchell can sign a huge extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers right now with a 4-year contract worth more than 200 million USD. However, his hesitation in negotiating and extending the contract is creating an opportunity for the market to discuss.
Donovan Mitchell could extend his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he has not agreed yet
There are currently a few scenarios surrounding whether Donovan Mitchell will stay or go. The first is that he will extend his contract and stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers for a long time.
Second, Mitchell can play out the final year of his contract for Cleveland before becoming a free agent in the summer of 2025 (when the 2024-25 season ends).
The last and most interesting scenario is that Donovan could be traded in the summer of 2024, where he will join a new team and extend his contract with that club.