Donovan Mitchell is extension-eligible for the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer. The seven-time All-Star has given no indication that he wants out of Cleveland, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll take this opportunity to extend.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says he believes Mitchell will wait to sign a new deal.
“I think the Cavs and Donovan are in a very good place,” said Windhorst. “And I think everyone should be prepared for the eventuality that he does not extend.”
Mitchell choosing not to extend could frighten some fans. We all have PTSD from the LeBron years. But this does not mean that Mitchell is getting ready to demand a trade or jump ship the following season. Instead, it just means he’s got maximum money on his mind.
“He is in a maximum leverage situation,” said Windhorst. “He has one year left in his contract, and next year he can sign with all of the goodies that come along with a brand-new contract because he’ll be a 10-year veteran.”
What’s the difference between signing a deal this summer and waiting another year? A 5% bump in how much Mitchell can make. Signing next year, after he’s completed his ninth NBA season, will make Mitchell eligible for 35% of the Cavs cap space as compared to the 30% available to him now.
Mitchell averaged 27.9 points per game last season and reached his first conference finals. He’s been an All-NBA member in three of his four seasons with Cleveland. To this point, Mitchell’s time in the wine and gold has been mutually beneficial.
Of course, not signing an extension this summer will bring another wave of rumors. Speculation will run rampant no matter what Mitchell intends with this decision.
“The only incentive that Mitchell has to sign right now is to do the Cavs a favor,” said Windhorst. “If Donovan does not extend, it doesn’t mean that he’s leaving, it doesn’t mean that he’s unhappy, it doesn’t mean that the Cavs should lose sleep, it does mean that he’s maximizing his situation.”
No one can predict what next summer will bring. As of now, all we know is that it makes the most sense financially for Mitchell to hold off on signing an extension. That seems to be the path he will take.
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