Donovan Mitchell Rumors: Cavs Felt Pressure in 'Every Corner' of Team to Retain Star

The future of All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell has reportedly been an oft-discussed topic within the Cleveland Cavaliers organization this season.

According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, the Cavs felt a sense of "urgency" after getting ousted by the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs last season due to the belief that Mitchell's decision on whether to re-sign with the Cavaliers depends on how good he thinks they can be.

Cleveland got off to a slow start this season, stumbling to starts of 1-3 and 8-8, and during that time, Vardon reported "the pressure to make the case to Mitchell to stay long term had been affecting every corner of the organization."

However, the Cavs are the hottest team in the NBA, having won eight games in a row and 16 of their past 17, bringing their record to 34-16, which is good for second place in the Eastern Conference.

Mitchell spent his first five NBA seasons with the Utah Jazz before getting traded to Cleveland in 2022 for a significant package that included Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, three first-round picks and two pick swaps.

Before the trade, Mitchell signed a contract extension with the Jazz in 2020 worth $163 million over five years.

Now, Mitchell is approaching the end of his deal, as he can become a free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season, or he could exercise his player option for 2025-26.

The move to Cleveland has been good for the 27-year-old Mitchell personally, as he has enjoyed the most productive years of his career over the past two seasons.

Last season, Mitchell earned his fourth consecutive All-Star selection and averaged 28.3 points, 4.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 three-pointers made and 1.5 steals per game en route to finishing sixth in the NBA MVP voting.

So far this season, Mitchell is averaging a career-high 28.5 points, 6.3 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game, and he is an All-Star once again.

As good as Mitchell has been and as hot as the Cavs have been lately, the question remains regarding whether they can establish themselves as true championship contenders.

A core of Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert, Max Strus and others should be good enough, although largely the same roster couldn't get out of the first round last season.

To go on a deep playoff run this season, the Cavaliers will have to get past a Boston Celtics team led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, a Milwaukee Bucks team led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, a Knicks team that eliminated them last season and possibly a Philadelphia 76ers team anchored by Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid if Embiid can return from injury.

The road to the NBA Finals is far from easy in the Eastern Conference, and it is fair to wonder if another shortcoming will negatively impact the Cavs' chances of re-signing their best player.