"Nasty overpay", "Love this for Cavs": Fans divided after Evan Mobley reportedly inks 5-year, $224 million contract extension with Cavaliers
After giving Donovan Mitchell a three-year, $150.3 million extension, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured Evan Mobley to a long-term deal. The lanky forward reportedly inked a five-year, $224.8 million max rookie extension that will kick in at the start of the 2025-26 season. Mobley’s contract does not have a player option so unless traded, he will be a Cav until at least the 2029-30 campaign.
Mobley finished second to Scottie Barnes for the 2021-22 Rookie of the Year award. The following season, he was a top contender for the Defensive Player of the Year honor. He might have been in contention for the DPOY again but was limited to 50 games due to injuries. Mobley’s performances convinced the Cavaliers’ brass that he deserved the lucrative extension.
Basketball fans reacted to Evan Mobley’s deal on X, formerly Twitter:
“That is a nasty overpay but they dont got a choice so cant blame em”
One fan couldn’t disagree more:
“LOVE THIS FOR THE CAVS!
“Mobley is such a unique player - very few like him in the NBA.”
A Celtics supporter couldn’t resist trolling the Mobley deal:
“celtics signed derrick white for half that”
Another fan pointed out who got a less lucrative contract than Mobley:
“Mobley making more then Brunson I’ve done seen it all”
Evan Mobley’s playoff performance against the Boston Celtics last season was perhaps the biggest reason the Cleveland Cavaliers gave him the contract. Without Jarrett Allen, he anchored the defense and put up the buckets to support Donovan Mitchell.
Mobley’s best game in that series came in Game 5 when the Cavs didn’t have both Allen and Mitchell. The No. 3 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft played with almost no relief. He ended up with 33 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal.
The Cavaliers might trade Jarrett Allen after giving Evan Mobley the massive rookie extension
JB Bickerstaff loved using a two-big or even three-big lineup. He used to have Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and Lauri Markkanen on the floor at the same time. With the Finn going to Utah in the Donovan Mitchell trade, Bickerstaff had to adjust but kept the Allen-Mobley combo.
Cleveland fired Bickerstaff after the loss to the Boston Celtics in the playoffs. Replacing him is Kenny Atkinson, a longtime Golden State Warriors assistant coach. Atkinson could favor a more perimeter-oriented game with only Mobley or Allen in the middle.
Jarrett Allen is on a team-friendly deal in the next two seasons. He still has two years and $40 million remaining on his contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Allen will likely look for a more lucrative offer when his deal expires. The Cavs could trade him to build around Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.