Since that September deal, Cleveland has won 99 games in Mitchell’s first two seasons — the fifth most of any NBA team — and reached the conference semifinals for the first time since James’ last season with the team in 2018.
Playoffs or not, Mitchell’s future factors into prominent play for the next coach. Mitchell, 27, was eligible to sign a three-year extension last offseason, but he passed, saying he wants it “to be known that I still have the opportunity to sign an extension next summer. I don’t think a lot of people understand that aspect.”
But what happens if Mitchell has not seen enough progress with the roster and is not sold on the new coach’s vision for the Cavaliers’ future? Would he elect not to sign the four-year, $208.5 million extension that will be presented to him on the first day of free agency (June 30)?
The question then centers on whether the Cavaliers risk Mitchell playing out the last year of his contract (he does have a $37.1 million player option in 2025-26) with the conviction another season could change his mind. Mitchell could earn an extra $61 million with Cleveland if he played out the 2025-26 season, but that is an option Altman and the front office cannot afford to take.
As the franchise moves forward, let’s look at Cleveland’s options, including how the Cavs have the upper hand — but trading away their star guard is an option.
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