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Donovan Mitchell received a hefty payday from the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, agreeing to a four-year, $273 million max extension that includes a full trade kicker and a player option for the 2030-31 season.
While Mitchell could have waited one more year to land a potential five-year, $353 million contract, the 29-year-old wasted no time in signing an extension on the first day he was eligible to do so this summer.
It’s hard for Cleveland to not want to build their team around Mitchell now and for the foreseeable future. He was an All-Star seven straight seasons, including three with the Utah Jazz before his trade to Cleveland during the 2022 offseason.
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Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks to pass the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 2, 2023 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. (David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
He averaged 26.7 points over four seasons with the Cavaliers, including 27.9 last season, and made an All-NBA team in three of his four years.
Mitchell also noted that there was “unfinished business” after the team was swept by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Mitchell was heading into the 2026-27 season on the final guaranteed season of his previous contract before a 2027 player option came into play.
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Now, the biggest question for the Cavaliers: Does Mitchell’s contract extension hurt or help their chances of a LeBron James reunion?
The 41-year-old has made it clear he will play elsewhere for the 2026-27 NBA season, marking the end of his eight years with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has not indicated where he might be headed, but reports have indicated that his agent, Rich Paul, is actively looking at specific teams.
LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul during the second half of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on January 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Kvork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Among them are the Cavaliers, as the Akron, Ohio native has played an important role in the franchise’s history, including an NBA title in 2016. If this is James’ final run in the NBA, why not do it back where it all began, where he returned after his successful stint with the Miami Heat, and where he can close the book on a one-of-a-kind career?
However, other teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Golden State Warriors, have been the subject of rumors and debate.
But of course, the salary cap is a big problem for NBA teams and you have to respect the parameters. While a Cavaliers fan might view Mitchell’s max extension as a bad thing for James to return to Cleveland, it doesn’t appear to affect their chances of signing him.
And for James’ NBA title chances, the Cavaliers reached the Eastern Conference Finals, and the 41-year-old wouldn’t need to be the center of attention in terms of his offensive play. Mitchell and Evan Mobley can lead the lane, while Jarrett Allen protects the rim down low.
The Cavaliers and James Harden, whom they acquired before the trade deadline last season, are also reportedly negotiating a team-friendly deal to keep their salary cap at bay.
Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons in Game 7 of the second round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 17, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Grégory Shamus/Getty Images)
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It remains to be seen whether the big fish will be landed, bringing “The Chosen One” back to its roots one last time.
Mitchell left no doubt, however, about his future in the NBA, as he will look to tie up that unfinished business in Cleveland.
