The Cleveland Cavaliers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the second-round series. Following their exit, a report from Cleveland.com suggested that Donovan Mitchell, a four-time NBA All-Star for the Cavaliers, was frustrated with some teammates’ lack of maturity, focus, and readiness for the playoffs. There were rumors that Mitchell could be leaving the team, as he has a player option for the 2025-26 season with a significant salary. Mitchell responded to the rumors on social media, dismissing the idea that he was irritated with his teammates.
Despite the speculation surrounding his future with the Cavaliers, Mitchell has not publicly commented on his plans beyond the current season. The team’s owner, Dan Gilbert, expressed belief that Mitchell would sign a contract extension with the team, citing his love for the city. Mitchell, however, has been focused on other things and has not addressed the contract extension talks. Under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, Mitchell is eligible to sign a four-year extension this summer, which could be worth up to $200 million.
Mitchell was acquired by the Cavaliers in a trade before the 2022-23 season, and he has been a key player for the team since then. The team’s head coach, JB Bickerstaff, has been in his role for the past five seasons, but the team’s recent playoff exit has raised questions about his job security. LeBron James, a former Cavaliers superstar who led the team to its first NBA championship in 2016, returned to Cleveland and sat courtside during Game 4 of the playoffs. Mitchell did not play in that game due to injury.
As Mitchell’s future with the Cavaliers remains uncertain, the team and fans alike are eagerly awaiting his decision regarding a potential contract extension. The speculation around his relationship with teammates and his future with the team continues to be a topic of discussion in the NBA community. Despite the disappointing end to their playoff run, the Cavaliers will look to regroup and prepare for the next season, with Mitchell playing a crucial role in their plans moving forward. Stay tuned for updates on Mitchell’s contract negotiations and the Cavaliers’ offseason moves as they strive to make another run at an NBA championship in the future.
