The Cleveland Cavaliers shocked the NBA world when they acquired All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz last summer. For weeks it looked like Mitchell was eventually going to land with the New York Knicks, his presumed preferred destination. But, when talks stalled between New York and Utah, Cleveland swooped in with an offer that Danny Ainge liked enough to accept.
Mitchell helped elevate the Cavaliers to another level during the 2022-23 season. They made the playoffs for the first time without LeBron James being on the roster since 1998 and the Louisville product was a big reason why.
He averaged a career-high 28.3 points per game, creating a dynamic backcourt combination with Darius Garland. Mitchell also handed out 4.4 assists to go along with 4.3 rebounds per game. His defensive metrics were also the best of his career as he could use more energy on that side of the court given that he had help offensively.
The Cavaliers ended the regular season 51-31, earning the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. It didn’t end up helping them much as they were defeated handily by the Knicks in five games.
While the outcome was disappointing, taking another step forward was encouraging. This offseason should have been a time for the Cavaliers to tinker with the roster to take that next step forward, but instead, it has been filled with rumors about Mitchell’s future.
Based on all reports, it sounds as if Mitchell won’t be long for Cleveland. Many NBA analysts believe that he will leave the first chance that he gets, with New York being a popular destination. His uncertain long-term outlook became even shakier when ESPN’s Brian Windhorst confirmed no extension will be coming this offseason.
“I don’t think under any circumstances he was ever considering extending this season, and I think the Cavs knew that when they traded for him,” Windhorst said.
That certainly puts the Cavaliers between a rock and a hard place. If they know Mitchell doesn’t want to stay long-term, it will push them toward making decisions to turn this roster into a contender as quickly as possible.
Mitchell is under contract through 2026, with the 2025-26 season being a player option. That essentially gives the Cavaliers one more season to win a championship before rumors of Mitchell’s departure get even louder. Next offseason could be a tumultuous one for Cleveland if they don’t make improvements to advance deep into the postseason in 2024.
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