Donovan Mitchell Reiterates Desire To Stay In Cleveland

Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell could be a free agent next year, as he’ll make $50.1MM in 2026/27, with a $53.8MM player option for ’27/28. Mitchell will be eligible this summer for a four-year extension worth a projected $277MM.

Sam Amick of The Athletic recently asked Mitchell how he would feel about signing a long-term deal with the Cavaliers, and the 29-year-old guard had nothing but good things to say about the organization.

“I love Cleveland. I’ve said it before: I want to play here for as long as I can,” Mitchell told The Athletic. “And the goal is to win — as long as we’re continuing to win at the highest level. But I love it, man. It’s a place that I feel like I can call home, you know what I mean? And I feel good. My fiance (singer/songwriter and actress Coco Jones) feels good about it.

“… The Cleveland life — I love it. I’m good. Now, the basketball just has to continue to be right where it’s been. This organization has shown time and time again that they’re willing to do whatever it takes, and that’s what you want.”

Amick’s exclusive interview with Mitchell covers his preexisting relationship with James Harden (both represent Adidas), when Mitchell learned of the trade talks with the Clippers, how Mitchell felt about the state of the team leading up to the Harden deal, and more. When asked about a report that Mitchell used his contract status to pressure the Cavs to make a move, the seven-time All-Star denied that was the case.

“I’ve said this many times, Sam, and I don’t know why people don’t believe me,” Mitchell said. “But I really like it here. There’s also a business component (that) people just don’t understand. Like, I did an interview with (The Athletic’s) Joe (Vardon) the other day, and that s–t I was talking about with the food was real. 

“My thing is, this s–t is real. I don’t know why — I mean, I know why — but people can’t fathom the fact that I’m really enjoying it here. And when I’m talking about Cleveland, I’m talking about the organization. I felt like, okay, yes, there was a business (discussion about the Harden trade), like ‘Yes, let’s do this.’ But I never went to them and was like, ‘Yo, let’s do this.’ And that’s why I appreciated it, because this was on them.”

As Amick observes, Harden and Mitchell are two of the more accomplished active players who have never won a championship despite making the playoffs each season of their respective careers. Mitchell told Amick he and Harden both plan to “do whatever it f—ing takes to win” their first title this season.

“I don’t want to say it’s his last shot, or my last shot, either. But it’s our best shot,” Mitchell said of Harden. “There’s a reason why he chose here. He sees it. We know what we’ve gotta do. Now, how do we do it? Him and I are gonna be fine. We’re gonna stagger our minutes. We’re gonna do all that, and then in crunch time we all know.

“(But) how are we going to get (Sam Merrill involved)? How we gonna get J.A. (Jarrett Allen), Evan (Mobley), Max (Strus), Keon (Ellis), Dennis (Schröder), everybody, around to gel and fit, you know what I mean? And the best part about (Harden) was that when you have a guy come in, and he’s like ‘Don, this is your team, bro.’ Then you go do your thing. You feel comfortable to be like, ‘Alright, bet.”

Amick’s conversation with Mitchell is worth reading in full for Cavaliers fans who subscribe to The Athletic.