Donovan Mitchell’s time in Cleveland may already have an expiration date.
Despite the star guard having arguably the best season of his career and helping the Cavaliers to their first 50-win season without LeBron James since 1992-93, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps saiid he believes Mitchell will never sign an extension with Cleveland and the team should look to part ways with him before his contract expires.
“I don’t think there’s any chance he signs an extension there ever, and if it was up to me I would trade Donovan Mitchell today,” Bontemps said on “The Hoop Collective Podcast.”
“I don’t think the Cavs are getting as far as they hope to next year, and I don’t think he’s gonna extend, and I think they’ll get a lot more for him with two summers left than they will with one summer left.”
“Now I also am fully aware that’s not what they’re gonna do and I understand why they’re not gonna do it … but me personally I think it’s more likely they are going to lose in the first round than they win two rounds, and in that scenario, I don’t really see any world where Donovan Mitchell wants to stay there after next season.”
Mitchell is under contract for the next three seasons, with a player option on the third worth around $37 million.
Coming off a season in which Mitchell put up a career-high of 28.3 points per game and scored a franchise record 71 points in a single game en route to his first All-NBA selection, his trade value has never been higher.
If made available, the New York Knicks would probably be among the first teams calling to make an offer.
Prior to being traded to Cleveland, Mitchell had made it clear that he wanted to play for the Knicks and was all but certain that he would land there.
The Knicks also could provide the Cavaliers with some enticing assets for the 26-year-old such as forward R.J Barrett, guards Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes to go along with the bevy of draft picks they’ve collected.
But unless Cleveland takes a major step back during the 2023-24 season, don’t expect Mitchell to be on the trade block anytime soon.
