Donovan Mitchell’s future in Cleveland is starting to draw serious attention across the NBA - and for good reason.
With just one guaranteed year left on his contract, Mitchell’s situation has become one of the more closely watched storylines as the league inches toward the postseason. The All-Star guard is having another stellar year statistically, but the big question looming over the Cavaliers is whether this group can finally break through in the playoffs - something Mitchell has yet to do in his career.
Let’s be clear: Mitchell is putting up elite numbers. He’s averaging 28.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, shooting an efficient 48.3% from the field and a strong 38.2% from three. That kind of production is the engine of Cleveland’s offense, and it's a big reason why they’re sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference standings right now.
But the regular season has never been the issue for Mitchell. The postseason is where the questions start to pile up.
Since arriving in Cleveland via trade from the Utah Jazz in 2022, Mitchell has been the centerpiece of a young, talented core. Last season, the Cavaliers posted the best record in the East - a 64-win campaign that looked like a statement.
But that momentum came to a screeching halt in the second round, where they were bounced in five games by the Indiana Pacers. For all the regular-season dominance, the playoff exit was abrupt and deflating.
And that’s the pattern that’s starting to define Mitchell’s career. Despite his undeniable talent and box-office scoring ability, he’s never made it past the second round of the playoffs - not in Utah, and not (yet) in Cleveland. That’s not all on him, of course, but when you’re the face of the franchise and a max-level player, the spotlight naturally follows.
Now, with the Cavs under pressure to make a deeper run, teams around the league are keeping tabs. Mitchell is set to earn $50.1 million next season and holds a player option worth $53.8 million for the 2028-29 season. While he doesn’t have a no-trade clause, Cleveland has made it clear that both Mitchell and Evan Mobley are off-limits in trade discussions - unless Mitchell himself decides he wants out.
So far, that hasn’t happened. In fact, Mitchell has embraced Cleveland, even if his name will always be linked to the Knicks. The New York native had his sights set on Madison Square Garden when Utah began exploring trade options in 2022, but ultimately landed in Northeast Ohio - and by all accounts, he’s grown to love the city and the situation.
Still, the connection to New York lingers, and it’s not going away anytime soon. If the Cavaliers fall short again this postseason, the noise around Mitchell’s future will only get louder.
Cleveland’s front office knows the stakes. This isn’t just about keeping a star happy - it’s about proving this roster can contend in a loaded Eastern Conference.
With Mitchell in his prime and Mobley continuing to develop, the window is open. But windows don’t stay open forever.
The pressure is real, and the league is watching.