Trade Rumors Involving Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell Said To Be ‘Very Real’

No one really knows if All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell will sign a contract extension with the Cavaliers this NBA offseason.

But there sure are a lot of hot takes and opinions about it.

“That (Mitchell situation) is very real,” one league source told Sam Amick and Josh Robbins of The Athletic. “Teams will definitely clear out a bunch of (assets) for him. We’ll see. But if they face Boston in the second round, they’ll probably lose. And yeah, that doesn’t bode well (for his future in Cleveland).”

Now, keep in mind that other sources have told Hoops Wire the playoffs will likely have no bearing on what Mitchell decides to do next. Some suggested he may already have made up his mind on whether he will sign a contract extension in Cleveland. Others have said that, yes, the playoffs will play a role.

Mitchell hasn’t said much, nor should he, as the Cavs prepare to face the Orlando Magic in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

“I think the biggest thing for me, as I said before to you earlier, I mean obviously you have to ask the question, but my focus is I got a lot of things to focus on outside of that right now,” Mitchell said last month, via The Athletic. “I’ve got to focus on myself, getting back for this group, focus on us getting over this stretch, continuing to be ready when it comes time.

“So, I’ll handle that when it comes, and I understand you gotta ask that question and I’ll give you the same answer.”

Mitchell can sign an extension for up to four years and about $200 million this summer. The 27-year-old has a player option worth $37 million for the 2025-26 season. He can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025 if he declines that player option. 

If he declines the option, then yes, the Cavs will highly likely look to move him ahead of next season, or at least next season’s NBA trade deadline in February. For now, though, it’s all little more than speculation.