According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Mitchell and the Cavs have agreed on a three-year, $150.3 million maximum contract extension, including a player option for the 2027-2028 season; this extension opens up a world of potential for the Cavaliers and their fans. Mitchell’s extension will begin in the 2025-26 season.
For Mitchell, this extension delivers a path to the 10-year service criteria, allowing him to pursue a five-year, $380 million-plus extension in 2027, according to Woj.
Cleveland acquired the 27-year-old from the Utah Jazz in September 2022 in a trade that sent Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, and three future unprotected first-round draft picks (2025, 2027, 2029) to Utah. They also agreed to swap picks in 2026 and 2028, so they gave up a lot to get Mitchell.
The five-time All-Star is the player the Cavs hope to build around for the next few seasons.
There had been reports that Mitchell and previous head coach J.B. Bickerstaff were not on the same page. Those reports were probably accurate, with Mitchell re-signing and Kenny Atkinson replacing Bickerstaff.
With Mitchell locked up, it’s happy times in Cleveland. However, as they are currently constructed, the Cavs are likely the fourth or fifth-best team in the East.
Reportedly, point guard Darius Garland and his representation were looking to go elsewhere if Mitchell signs an extension with the team, so we’ll see where that stands. Also, there has been some talk about the fit of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley together. If they are kept together, you wonder how those two bigs will play off each other in Atkinson’s system.
While Cleveland can breathe a sigh of relief with their best player signing an extension, there’s still more work to be done. The focus now shifts to Koby Altman, the president of basketball operations, and his task of building a championship-caliber roster around Mitchell.
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