The Cleveland Cavaliers have locked up one of their stars to a long-term deal. With the news coming out of an extension with 7x All-Star, Donovan Mitchell, to a contract that will keep him with the team through the 2030-2031 season. With the rumors of LeBron James’ potential return to the organization, what does this mean for the Cavaliers? Was it a good decision? Lastly, is this an overpay?
Cavaliers Extend Spida
In case you missed it, the Cleveland Cavaliers are extending Donovan Mitchell to a four-year, $273 million extension. With an AAV of $68.2 million at the beginning of the 2027-2028 season, that is a huge chunk of change for the three-time All-NBA player. Mitchell is coming off one of the best campaigns of his career. Last season, he averaged 27.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, and 5.7 apg on 48/36/87 shooting splits on a team that won 52 games and was the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavs’ postseason would end as poorly as it began. After defeating the Toronto Raptors and upsetting the number one-seeded Detroit Pistons in the semi-finals, they would get blown off the floor in the Eastern Conference Finals by the New York Knicks in a 4-0 sweep. With a margin of victory of 19 ppg, it was the definition of a beatdown.
Was This an Overpay?
This is a horrible contract. What is D-Mitch, a top 20 player in the NBA? If we are in a world where the 20th-best player can make almost $70 Million a year, what do you think Victor Wembanyama’s contract will be? I understand that NBA Free Agency doesn’t really exist anymore. We no longer have your A-tier superstars hitting the open market. That means when you have one of the upper-echelon players in the league, you are almost beholden to give them what they want.
Let’s not get it twisted, Donovan Mitchell is an exceptional basketball player. As previously mentioned, I think he’s a top 20 player in the NBA. I would’ve been hesitant to pay him big-time money due to his postseason inconsistencies and inability to raise the level of the players around him. Yes, he’s a bona fide score, one of the best in the league. However, when it comes to crunch time and leading his team to victory, he leaves much to be desired.
Postseason Failures
Just look at his history. In 2021, he led the Utah Jazz to 52 wins as the number one seed in the Western Conference. How did that season end? In the second round, the Raptors lost to the Los Angeles Clippers, where Kawhi Leonard would miss games five and six. Just last year, the Cavaliers appeared to be the juggernaut of the Eastern Conference, winning 64 games, the second most in the NBA. This also ends in disaster, as they would fall to the Indiana Pacers in the second round and look pitiful at times.
Final Thoughts
Before we know it, this will be one of the worst contracts in the NBA. I don’t see a world where you can receive $70 million in compensation on the basketball court from Donovan Mitchell moving forward. What were your thoughts and takeaways when you saw the extension? Do you believe this was an overpay or just where the market is headed? Lastly, how could this affect LeBron James’ potential return to Cleveland?
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