The Cavaliers can now breathe a sigh of relief. After heavy speculation, All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell is staying in Cleveland.
Mitchell has been the subject of multiple trade rumors in recent months. Like in his first city, his inability to commit long-term was questioned. Although Spida had always said that he wanted to re-sign with the Cavs, the stories refused to go away—well, until now.
Even before he could get a formal interview, Mitchell let the Cavs fans know that he was glad that the wait was over.
"All year I've been saying the same sh**, like I'mma say how much I like it. Everyday it's like, 'Oh, he's going to do this, he' going to do that.' I don't get it. I don't understand it. I think it's hilarious. So, it is what it is. I'm glad I got this sh** done, man. Glad I got this sh** done Cleveland. Now, you can focus. Know what I'm saying? Let's get to it," said Mitchell.
The narrative that Mitchell wants to play for a big market
There has always been this narrative that Mitchell wants to play for a big market. That's the very reason why he is in Cleveland. The Utah Jazz drafted Mitchell 13th overall in 2017, but after five very successful seasons in Salt Lake City, the team traded him to the Cavaliers because they said he could not commit to them long-term.
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert took a big gamble in acquiring Mitchell. Despite the possibility that he would leave anyway, the organization shipped Lauri Markkanen, Colin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, three future first-round picks, and two pick swaps to land Spida.
Mitchell had the two best years of his career with the Cavs this past two seasons, earning two All-Star selections and one All-NBA nod while leading them to the postseason in both years. But after getting eliminated by eventual champions Boston in the second round of the 2024 Playoffs, the trade chatters came back with Mitchell due for an extension.
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The Cavs get stability
But after meeting with Cavs GM Koby Altman in Los Angeles last weekend, Mitchell agreed to a three-year extension worth $150.3 million, including a player option for the 2027-28 season. Given what was at stake if he left, ESPN's Briant Windhorst called it the second biggest contract signing in the organization after LeBron coming back in 2014.
Under the new deal, Mitchell's $37.1 million player option for the upcoming season is now replaced with Year 1 of the contract extension. Spida will make $46.3 million in 2025-26 and $50.1 million in 2026-27 with a $53.8 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign.
With their best player locked in for at least the foreseeable future, the Cavaliers now enter training camp with stability. That's key for them as they will be bringing in a new head coach, Kenny Atkinson. As Mitchell said in the video, it's time to focus and get that gold.
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