Donovan Mitchell Explains Why He Signed Extension With Cavaliers: ‘The City Of Cleveland, It’s Really Had A Hold On Me’

During an interview with NBA reporter Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Donovan Mitchell explained why he signed an extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Mitchell signed a three-year, $150.3 million maximum contract extension.

“Until the pen hits the paper, obviously words don’t mean anything,” Mitchell said. “But for me, man, once I got traded here, I didn’t even know what was here until I got here. Obviously, I knew who would be here on the team, but just the city of Cleveland, it’s really had a hold on me. I just really love the people. I love the passion, the fandom, the organization obviously, and obviously my teammates. And for me, we’ve continued to find success and continue to build and build and as I’ve always said, ‘You don’t just get ready and then just make the Finals or win a chip. It takes time. You got to continue to build and continue to grow.’ And that for me was my biggest thing is how do we find ways to continue to do that.

“And having an organization that believes in that, that isn’t just cool with just being status quo and just being OK and being good … And after losing to Boston last [season], yeah, we were injured and we had all these different ways we could look at excuses. The energy wasn’t that in the locker room. It was more like we’re coming back doing it again. And for me, it meant a lot just because that’s what I believe in myself. So being able to be with my guys and be on this team again and to the foreseeable future, I’m excited. We got a lot to prove and I got a lot to continue to go.”

One of the best players in the NBA, Mitchell is averaging 27.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Cavaliers.

Last season, Mitchell averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.5 blocks in 2023-24 while shooting 46.2% from the field, 36.8% from beyond the arc and 86.5% from the free-throw line.