Insider doesn't believe Cavaliers can re-sign Donovan Mitchell

The Cavaliers acted aggressively last offseason by trading for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell to lead the franchise, and yet, one insider isn't convinced that the 26-year-old remains in Cleveland long-term. 

Mitchell, who earned All-NBA Second Team honors in 2022-23 after averaging 28.3 points and 4.4 assists per game, has two seasons remaining on his current five-year, $163 million contract. Although he's eligible to sign an extension this offseason, ESPN's Tim Bontemps doesn't believe a deal will materialize, not only this summer but at all. 

Appearing on a recent episode of the “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective” podcast, Bontemps was so adamant that Mitchell doesn't re-sign with the Cavaliers that he suggested the team should explore trading their star shooting guard. 

"I don't think there's any chance [Mitchell] signs an extension there ever," Bontemps said. "And if it was up to me, I would trade Donovan Mitchell today. Cuz I don't think the Cavs are getting as far as they hope to next year, and I don't think he's going to extend. And I think they'll get a lot more for him with two summers left than they will with one summer left." 

"Now I also am fully aware that's not what they're gonna do, and I understand why ... But me personally, looking at it, I think it's more likely [the Cavaliers] lose in the first round than they win two rounds," Bontemps added. 'And in that scenario, I don't really see any world where Donovan Mitchell wants to stay there after next season."