In a recent huddle with reporters, Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell did not nullify any doubts about his future in Cleveland. Team owner Dan Gilbert said he is considering extending Mitchell’s contract this summer, but Mitchell suggested he’s still contemplating his future.
“Too early,” said Mitchell, via Erik Slater. “I’ll handle that when it comes to… but we got a lot of other things to focus on right now. I gotta focus on myself and getting back for this group and we gotta focus on getting over this stretch to be ready when it’s time but I’ll handle that when it comes to it. I understand you gotta ask… We’re going out there trying to find ways to win a championship.”
Donovan Mitchell remained non-committal on signing an extension with the Cavs after Dan Gilbert's comments:
"I got a lot of things to focus on outside of that right now… So, I’ll handle that when it comes… I'm gonna give you the same answer."
(Video via @CavsInsider_FN) pic.twitter.com/pDbU5PpzAJ
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) March 30, 2024
Mitchell, 27, isn’t set to be a free agent until next summer, when he can opt out of his $37 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent. Since trading for Mitchell almost two years ago, the Cavaliers have made it their mission to get him to extend on a long-term deal. A few days ago, team owner/governor Dan Gilbert even went so far as to say publicly that he was confident Mitchell would stick around.
“We’ve been talking to him, sure, for the last couple of years about extending this contract,” said Gilbert in an interview with Tom Withers on Thursday. “We think he will extend. I think if you listen to him talk, he loves the city.”
Mitchell has not shown any signs of disloyalty to the Cavaliers but he also hasn’t made any promises about staying. Putting Gilbert in check was arguably the most aggressive Mitchell has been on the subject but it’s clearly not something he wants to talk about right now with so much on the line.
Is Donovan Mitchell New York Bound?
The Cavaliers are already one of the least desirable franchises in the eyes of the players but their track record for losing doesn’t help make them any more enticing. In the case of Mitchell’s Cavs, they lost in embarrassing fashion last post-season and if they lose like that again this year, it could mean the end for that team as know it.
It’s no secret that Mitchell has been involved in rumors for years now and many believe that he may be ready to leave the Cavaliers for good. Whether he lets his deal expire and goes to free agency or tries to force a trade sometime before then, he has a number of ways to go about it and it will be interesting to see what he does.
In any event, the New York Knicks will come calling for Mitchell whenever he’s available and they’ve been connected together for years now. After so much time saving their assets and waiting until the right moment to make a move, they finally have everything they need to make a hard pursuit of the 5x All-Star.
With Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Julius Randle, the Knicks might just have enough to make some major waves in the East. At the very least, Brunson would be the star of the city for one of the best Knicks teams ever assembled.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
