Report: Growing Belief Cavaliers Will Be Forced To Trade Donovan Mitchell If Extension Isn’t Reached

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, there is a growing belief that the Cleveland Cavaliers will be forced to trade Donovan Mitchell if an extension isn’t reached. 

Mitchell can sign an extension for up to four years and around $200 million this summer. The 27-year-old has a player option worth $37 million for the 2025-26 season.

Mitchell can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025 if he declines that player option. 

“As discussed here on multiple occasions, 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 that the Cavaliers will be forced to trade Mitchell in coming months if they cannot come to terms with him an extension,” Stein wrote. 

The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets have been linked to Mitchell, who doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. 

One of the best players in the NBA, Mitchell is averaging 26.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists this season while shooting 46.2% from the field, 36.8% from 3 and 86.3% from the free-throw line.

The Cavaliers are 47-33 on the season. They are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. 

If the regular season ended today, the Cavaliers would face the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. 

Mitchell has career averages of 24.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists with the Utah Jazz and Cavaliers. He scored a career-high 71 points last season against the Chicago Bulls. 

A five-time All-Star, Mitchell recently told NBA reporters he would “handle” his future with the Cavaliers when the time is appropriate. 

“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, 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.”