Donovan Mitchell Signs $273M Max Cavs Contract, Latest News on Trade Kicker and Updated Salary Cap

After leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in eight years, Donovan Mitchell is going to sign a long-term extension to remain with the club.

Mitchell's agent, Austin Brown, told ESPN's Shams Charania that the seven-time All-Star has agreed to a four-year max extension worth $273 million and includes a full 15 percent trade kicker.

Since Mitchell was already under contract for $50.1 million in 2026-27, it doesn't change the Cavs' immediate salary cap. They remain $85.4 million over the cap with $250.3 million in cap allocations next season.

The Athletic's Joe Vardon noted Mitchell would have been eligible to sign a five-year, $352 million extension next summer after his 10th NBA season, but he "opted for financial security and protection against injury, while at the same time, confirming what he's been telling The Athletic all along — he really likes it in Cleveland."

Mitchell had a $53.8 million player option for 2027-28 in his previous contract that will be replaced by his new deal.

Between Mitchell and Evan Mobley, whose current deal runs through the 2029-30 season, the Cavaliers will be paying those two more than $120 million combined starting in 2028-29.

Mobley had been mentioned as a potential trade candidate when the Boston Celtics were shopping Jaylen Brown, but the Celtics sending Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers took that option off the table.

The Cavs have Jarrett Allen under contract for more than $30 million in 2027-28 and 2028-29. They are also in talks to bring back James Harden on a multiyear deal that could pay him close to $30 million per season.

Allen is another player whose name has popped up in trade rumors, though there is nothing at this point to indicate he is close to being moved.

They remain in the mix for LeBron James, though reportedly none of the clubs in that discussion have any idea where things are going to go at this point.

All of this is to show the Cavs are poised to continue having a very expensive roster, though Mitchell is the centerpiece and his contract was the biggest potential hanging over their head this offseason.

Instead, Mitchell opted to get a deal done very quickly to allow the Cavs front office to keep preparing for the upcoming season.

In his first four seasons with the Cavaliers, Mitchell has made the All-Star team every year and finished in the top seven in MVP voting three times. He has averaged 26.7 points, 5.3 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game in 264 games.

The Cavs have made the playoffs in four consecutive years, winning at least one series in each of the last three.