‘Growing Sentiment’ Donovan Mitchell Will Remain With Cavs

While the Cavaliers have struggled lately without All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, there remain no indications he is looking for a way out.

Multiple sources have told Hoops Wire that they expect Mitchell to sign a contract extension — at least of some sort — before next season. The Cavs are certain to offer the max. Mitchell could end up taking that, or possibly a shorter deal.

The idea of Mitchell staying in Cleveland for multiple seasons beyond the next was also reported by NBA insider Grant Afseth of SI.com and NBA Analysis Network.

“According to multiple league sources who have told NBA Analysis Network, the growing sentiment around the NBA is that Donovan Mitchell plans to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers after his current contract expires,” Afseth wrote.

“Granted, it’s early in the process of how star players make decisions. Regardless, If that holds, the Cavs could become a trade buyer to watch as they continue to shape the roster around Mitchell.”

One theory is the teams that reportedly would try to make a run at Mitchell don’t have the assets to do it. For instance, that supposed list includes Mitchell’s hometown New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers. Or if they do have the assets, they don’t want to give them up. The Knicks are having a pretty good run as currently constructed and don’t want to reshape the roster around one outside player, sources said.

Others have said it comes down to Mitchell simply being happy in Cleveland and not looking for a way out. The Cavs can also pay him more than anyone.

Mitchell, 27, is averaging 27.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.5 blocks this season while shooting 46.8% from the field, 37.3% on 3-pointers and 86.2% from the free-throw line. 

He has a player option worth $37 million for the 2025-26 season and can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025 if he declines that option. 

He holds career averages of 24.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.4 steals with the Utah Jazz and Cavaliers. That includes a career-high 71 points last season against the Chicago Bulls. 

The Cavs (43-28) are in third place in the Eastern Conference standings and face the Charlotte Hornets on Monday in Cleveland and Wednesday in Charlotte.

Ashish Mathur contributed to this report.