Donovan Mitchell Knew He Would Sign Extension With Cavs During 2024 Paris Game Trip

Donovan Mitchell told Melissa Rohlin of Fox Sports that he knew he would sign an extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2024 Paris Game trip.

“When we were in Paris, it just felt different,” Mitchell said. “You had that feeling that this is where you want to be. I felt that early on, too. But once we did the Paris trip, I knew I was coming back, for sure.”

Mitchell signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Cavaliers last summer. 

Some members of the Miami Heat thought Mitchell would request a trade to South Beach after the Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2024 playoffs in five games, a source told Hoops Wire. 

The Cavaliers acquired Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in 2022 and lost to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2023 playoffs. Cleveland beat the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2024 postseason before losing to Boston in the second round and there was a narrative in NBA circles that Mitchell didn’t want to stay with the Cavaliers since they weren’t contenders. 

However, that was all white noise. 

“The city of Cleveland has really won me over,” Mitchell said. “I really enjoy being there. It feels like home. That’s my biggest thing. Basketball is going to be basketball. But you spend most of your time there and I feel like it’s home. It feels safe. I feel like I’m at peace. And that’s truly one of the biggest things for me.”

Mitchell can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027 if he declines his 2027-28 player option worth $53,817,156. Barring a sudden turn of events, Mitchell is expected to retire with the Cavaliers, the source said.