Donovan Mitchell Addresses Cavs Future, Opportunity for Growth Amid Contract Extension Rumors

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell made it clear that he loves it in town and has no desire to leave per a segment with Andscape.

"I feel like this has been a consistent theme every single season I've been here...I love it here, I see growth, I see a runway, I believe, I've made Cleveland home. Outside of just basketball, I don't wanna go."

Mitchell can became a free agent after next season if he declines his 2027-28 player option. However, it's abundantly clear the Cavs want to keep him aboard, per comments president of basketball operations Koby Altman made at his end-of-season press conference (h/t Chris Fedor of cleveland.com).

"Donovan is our guy," Altman said. "He's elevated everything about this franchise and this organization, so when he professes his love for being here, we're fortunate to have him and we'll work out those details when it comes time."

Per Fedor, the Cavs can offer Mitchell a four-year, $272 million max extension on July 7.

Both sides should clearly get something done here. The Cavs made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018, when LeBron James was in town. Mitchell led the way by averaging 27.9 points on 48.3 percent shooting, 5.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.

He's enjoyed great success as Cleveland's top player over his four seasons in town, making the All-Star Game all of his seasons in town and making the All-NBA Second Team twice and the All-NBA First Team once.

The Cavs' season ended in disappointing fashion after the New York Knicks swept them, although Mitchell did his part, averaging 27.3 PPG. If anything, the Cavs could look to make moves around him as they hope to take another step to the NBA Finals next year.

Ultimately, it seems like a matter of "when" and not "if" the Cavs offer the 29-year-old Mitchell the max extension. One can guess that might be as soon as Cleveland is able to do so on July 7.