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Donovan Mitchell received a big payday from the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, when he agreed to a four-year, $273 million max extension, which includes a full trade kicker and a player option for the 2030-31 season.
While Mitchell could have waited one more year to land a potential five-year, $353 million contract, the 29-year-old wasted no time signing an extension on the first day he was eligible to do so this summer.
It’s hard for Cleveland not to want to build its team around Mitchell now and for the foreseeable future. He has been an All-Star seven consecutive seasons, including three with the Utah Jazz before his trade to Cleveland during the 2022 offseason.
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Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks to pass the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 2, 2023 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. (David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
He has averaged 26.7 points in four seasons with the Cavaliers, including 27.9 last season, and has made an All-NBA team in three of his four years.
Mitchell also noted that he had “unfinished business” after the team was swept by the future NBA champion New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Mitchell was heading into the 2026-27 season in the final guaranteed season of his previous contract before a player option for 2027 took effect.
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Now, the biggest question for the Cavaliers: Does Mitchell’s contract extension hurt or help his chances of reuniting with LeBron James?
The 41-year-old has made it clear that he will play elsewhere during the 2026-27 NBA season, marking the end of his eight years with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has not indicated where he might be headed, but reports have indicated that his agent, Rich Paul, is actively pursuing specific teams.
LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul during the second half of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on January 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Among them are the Cavaliers, as the man from Akron, Ohio, has played an important role in the franchise’s history, including an NBA title in 2016. If this is James’ last NBA career, why not make it where it all started, where he returned after his successful time with the Miami Heat and where he can close the book on a unique career?
However, other teams have been rumored and discussed, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Golden State Warriors.
But of course the salary cap is a big issue for NBA teams to stay within the parameters. While a Cavaliers fan might view Mitchell’s max extension as a bad thing for James to return to Cleveland, it is not believed to hurt their chances of landing him.
And for James’ NBA title chances, the Cavaliers did reach the Eastern Conference Finals, and the 41-year-old wouldn’t have to be the center of attention in terms of offensive play. Mitchell and Evan Mobley can lead the way there, while Jarrett Allen protects the rim from deep.
The Cavaliers and James Harden, whom they acquired before the trade deadline last season, are also negotiating a team-friendly deal to keep their salary cap in check.
Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons in game seven of the second round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 17, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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It remains to be seen if the big fish will be landed and bring “The Chosen One” back to his roots one last time.
However, Mitchell has left no doubt about where his future lies in the NBA as he looks to resolve those unfinished business in Cleveland.
