Cleveland Cavaliers and Donovan Mitchell agree to three-year, $150 million extension
The Cavaliers have made the playoffs in both of the years that Donovan Mitchell has been in Cleveland. Now the Cavs have rewarded him with a max contract.
The Cleveland Cavaliers made sure they held on to what has become the face of their franchise in the post LeBron James era. Donovan Mitchell has agreed to a three-year, maximum contract extension that will keep him at Rocket Mortgage Field House until at least 2027.
Cavs go all in on Mitchell
Mitchell had a five year, $163 million contract that he signed with the Utah Jazz in 2020, but after getting traded Cleveland two years ago he has turned into one of the most underrated superstars in the league. That’s why the Cavs offered him a three-year, $150.3 million dollar maximum contract extension.
In the two years he has been in Cleveland, he has led the team back to the playoffs after four years of futility following the departure of LeBron James in 2018. The Cavs made it to the first round of the playoffs in 2022, and reached the Conference Semifinals, but got knocked out by the eventual NBA Champion, Boston Celtics, in five games.
Mitchell suffered a calf strain in second round series against the Celtics, but in the opening round he had 50 points in a must win Game 6 against Orlando, and followed that up with a 39 point Game 7 to push the Cavs through to the next round of the playoffs.
Spida joins Iverson on elite list
Since getting drafted by the Jazz with the 13th pick of the 2017 NBA Draft, and since then has averaged 20+ points in each of his first seven seasons. Allen Iverson is the only other guard to have done that in the last three decades.
“Spida” averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists last year with the Cavs and helped Cleveland fourth placed finish in the Eastern Conference. Mitchell is surrounded by a long list of young talent like Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, and could be just a few pieces away from being a serious contender in the East.
Mitchell’s deal will take effect after next season and comes with a player option for the 2027/28. He is set to make more than $35 million next year, but his new contract will bring him in an average of $50 million in the three seasons after that.