Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Donovan Mitchell could choose to stay with the Cavaliers

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 3/28/24

Donovan Mitchell's future with the Cleveland Cavaliers has been a hot topic since the team acquired him in 2022. He is under contract for next season and has another year as a player option.

As such, the Cavaliers front office is under mounting pressure to secure his long-term future with the franchise.

According to Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, who was speaking to The Associated Press for an interview, the franchise is confident it can retain its star player.

“We’ve been talking to him, sure, for the last couple of years about extending this contract,” Gilbert said. “We think he will extend. I think if you listen to him talk, he loves the city. He loves the situation in Cleveland because our players are very young and we’re just kind of putting the core together that he’s clearly the biggest part of.”

Cavs owner Dan Gilbert told AP he's confident Donovan Mitchell will sign an extension with Cleveland this summer. Story upcoming.
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) March 28, 2024

Mitchell is a major swing factor for the Cavaliers. The team isn't far from talented enough to contend for a championship with him on the roster.

Without him, they may be looking at a soft rebuild. After all, Mitchell is one of the most talented scorers in the NBA. He is averaging 27.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists on 46.8 percent shooting from the field and 37.3 percent shooting from three-point range.

Furthermore, Mitchell has developed a fearsome partnership with Darius Garland. When both are healthy, they're one of the best guard pairings in the Eastern Conference.

As such, if Mitchell commits his future to Cleveland, his presence could entice other stars to explore the idea of joining the franchise.

Of course, the Cavaliers will need to be wary of interest from other teams. The New York Knicks are well-documented suitors for Mitchell, which could lead to his head being turned.

Nevertheless, if Gilbert is confident of securing the long-term future of his star player, then he's likely had some form of reassurance.

Mitchell is key to what the Cavaliers are building. It won't be lost on them how disastrous it would be to lose him in the coming months or years.

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