NBA Exec: 'No Doubt' Donovan Mitchell Leaves Cavaliers After Contract Ends in 2025

Star guard Donovan Mitchell's time with the Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly could come to an end sooner than the team had hoped.

According to The Ringer's Howard Beck, many around the NBA believe that Mitchell is not interested in a contract extension with the Cavs and will be on his way out when he becomes a free agent in 2025.

"There's no doubt he's leaving once his contract ends," one Eastern Conference executive said.

Cleveland currently ranks second in the Eastern Conference with a 35-17 record. The team had a nine-game win streak snapped in Monday's 123-121 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Mitchell has been the driving force behind the Cavs' success this season. He leads the team with averages of 28.3 points, 6.3 assists and 1.9 steals across his 43 appearances, earning his fifth straight All-Star selection. He's been a source of stability while multiple key players like Darius Garland and Evan Mobley missed significant time with their respective injuries before recently returning to the lineup.

However, Mitchell's ties to Cleveland appear to be dependent on the team's postseason success. The Cavs had a strong 2022-23 season in Mitchell's first year with the franchise, going 51-31 and earning the fourth seed in the East to end a four-year playoff drought. Unfortunately, they were bounced out of the playoffs in the first round, losing in five games to the fifth-seeded New York Knicks.

Another lackluster performance in the postseason could spell the end of Mitchell's time in Cleveland. If he turns down a contract extension this summer, the Cavs could look to trade him ahead of his impending free agency.

It's clear that Mitchell will be one of the most intriguing names to watch this offseason and beyond, as he could drastically change the power balance in the league if he departs Cleveland to join another contender.