The Cleveland Cavaliers made sure the biggest star of their franchise isn’t going anywhere. Donovan Mitchell has officially agreed to a four-year, $273 million extension as a commitment to his long-term future in Cleveland after reaching his first-ever Conference Finals.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the deal also has a player option for the 2030-31 season and a full trade kicker. Mitchell could have waited another season to sign a much larger extension. He could have signed a five-year extension roughly $80 million more, but instead chose to sign at the first opportunity.
Ever since the Cavaliers acquired Mitchell in 2022 in a massive trade, there have been constant questions about his future. The Cavaliers consistently fell short in the postseason, and there were rumors that he could leave for a larger market. But now those rumors can be laid to rest. This is already Mitchell’s second extension with the franchise since his arrival, and he has become one of the best players in the league since joining Cleveland.
The seven-time All-Star also enjoyed another stellar outing with the Cavaliers in the 2025-26 season. He averaged 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists while shooting 48.3% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc. He earned his third All-NBA selection and showed why he remains one of the top scorers in the league.
This time out in the postseason, Mitchell led the Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference Finals. Even though they got swept by the New York Knicks, this marked the first time Mitchell has reached so deep in the playoffs.
And now the Cavaliers can turn their attention to the rest of the offseason. James Harden is still without a contract after opting out of his player option, but he is widely expected to return on a longer-term deal.
Then there’s the biggest storyline of all.
Over the past week, every report has indicated that a return to the Cavaliers seemed imminent. LeBron was also spotted in Cleveland with his high school friends, including Cavaliers assistant GM Brandon Weems. The Cavaliers have surged as the frontrunner to land the four-time MVP.
Mitchell’s signing only strengthens that position.
The Cavaliers still have work to do before training camp begins. But with Donovan Mitchell locked in for years, the franchise has secured its franchise star. Harden’s extension is up next and if LeBron decided to return home, the Cavaliers could enter as the biggest threat to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference.
