"Worst kept secret in the NBA" - NBA analyst on Donovan Mitchell's move to Cavaliers
Donovan Mitchell is under contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers until the summer of 2025, with the final year of his deal being a player option (2025–26 season). The question here is whether he is willing to stay with the franchise past his current contract or sees his future elsewhere.
A few weeks ago, the All-Star guard said that he doesn't expect to agree to a new deal with the Cavs during the 2023–24 season, but it is more likely he can sign a new contract next summer.
"I still have the opportunity to sign an extension next summer. I’m really excited about what we’ve got going here," Donovan Mitchell told reporters during Media Day in early October, via Cleveland.com.
"I think that’s the biggest thing, especially for myself. We could do something special. When the season's over, we’ll get to that. I’ve addressed that with the front office."
Meanwhile, NBA analyst Bill Simmons took to his podcast and shared his thoughts on Mitchell's status with the Cavaliers. Simmons doesn't believe that the All-Star guard will stay in Cleveland and expects him to leave before the end of his current deal.
"The big question for me is Mitchell not staying there long-term is probably the worst-kept secret in the NBA," Bill Simmons said on his podcast, via Basketball Network.
"If it's not the worst-kept, it's in the top three. Does that put pressure on this season, and at what point will the Cavs kind of admit that's how this is probably playing out? Does that change if they start out slow this year?" he added.
Donovan Mitchell, who is expected to earn $32.6 million this year, will be eligible for a five-year, $372 million deal in the summer of 2025 should he become a free agent.
If he picks his player option, though, the Cavs can offer him as much as $259.5 million for a five-year deal.
Donovan Mitchell is Cleveland's best chance for a deep playoff run
Donovan Mitchell is coming off the best season of his career, as he averaged a career-high 28.3 PPG to go with 4.3 RPG and 4.4 APG in 68 games. He booked 48.4 percent from the field, 38.6 from three and 86.7 percent from the free-throw line.
His performance gave him an All-Star selection for the first time in his career and led the Cavs to fourth place in the East. However, his season ended in disappointment with a first-round playoff exit after losing to the New York Knicks in five games.
We could expect similar numbers from Donovan Mitchell in his second season with Cleveland, but the question here is whether he can win with the Cavs right away.
A deep playoff run will certainly help keep him with the franchise long-term. Another early postseason exit, though, could see him pursue a move to another title contender.
Cleveland kicks off the season with a road game vs the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Wednesday.