NBA Notes: Cavs, Donovan Mitchell, Clippers, James Harden, Blazers

Cavaliers

A recent report said that the Cavs are not expecting to sign Donovan Mitchell to an extension this offseason, but they never really had hopes of doing so.

It would be incredibly early for Mitchell to agree to an extension, as he’s under contract for two more seasons as is. He can opt out of his current deal ahead of the 2025-26 season.

For the Cavs, it won’t be time to start feeling uneasy about Mitchell until the end of this season, and again, even that’s a little early. He will certainly have all of 2023-24 to determine how he feels about the team’s direction — if not the year after that.

Anything else regarding Mitchell and a contract extension at this point is just content for the sake of it.

• President of basketball operations Koby Altman is due back in court on OVI charges on Sept. 27, less than a week before Media Day. We have the latest here.

Clippers

The Clippers may or may not have a need for forward Marcus Morris, though there are no plans to keep him on the sidelines as a healthy scratch.

“Until Morris is moved or declared replaced, he is at the top of the depth chart,” wrote Law Murray of The Athletic. “Don’t expect a banishment similar to how Phoenix handled Jae Crowder last season, team sources tell The Athletic.”

• The Clippers are no closer to a trade for 76ers star guard James Harden, and aren’t really even making an aggressive push for Harden at the moment, sources told Hoops Wire. Harden has requested a trade and the Clippers are said to be at the top of his wish list.

Trail Blazers

• The Blazers have begun to again take part in Damian Lillard trade talks with the Heat, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The sides reportedly had gone weeks without discussing a deal.
• As we relayed here, Portland is hopeful of moving Lillard before the start of camp. Several reports indicate the Suns could act as a facilitator in a Lillard trade.