Donovan Mitchell has agreed to a three-year NBA contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers worth $150.3 million. This deal keeps the five-time All-Star with the team through the 2028-29 season, according to multiple reports. The 27-year-old guard, who spent five seasons with Utah before joining the Cavs in 2022, averaged 26.6 points and career highs of 6.1 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.8 steals a game last season.
NBA free agency rules place a moratorium on signings until Saturday, meaning teams cannot complete deals. This leaves media reports to reveal what plans are in store for top players and clubs. The Cavaliers, who lost to eventual champion Boston in the second round of last season’s playoffs, fired coach J.B. Bickerstaff after the campaign and have hired former Golden State assistant coach Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach.
Donovan’s deal, according to reports, includes a $54 million player option for the 2027-28 season. This move pushes the Cavs to become a contender in the next three seasons to keep the star playmaker. Free agency has already produced some big moves, with Paul George departing the Los Angeles Clippers to join the Philadelphia 76ers. Klay Thompson also left the Golden State Warriors to join Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving with the Dallas Mavericks, who lost to Boston in last month’s NBA Finals.
The Celtics have signed extensions with their starting lineup after making a deal Monday with Jayson Tatum for a five-year extension worth $315 million — the largest contract in league history. Among other free agents on the market is LeBron James, who is expected to make a deal to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers and play alongside his son Bronny, taken by the team in the second round of last week’s NBA Draft.
