$475 Million Over 7 Years! Mitchell's Ambitious Plan: Has He Become the Cavaliers' Second Greatest Player?

Donovan Mitchell has secured his future with the Cleveland Cavaliers by signing a three-year, $150.3 million contract extension, as reported by ESPN. The contract, which includes a player option in the final year, breaks down as follows:

• 2025-26 season: $46.39 million
• 2026-27 season: $50.11 million
• 2027-28 season: $53.82 million (player option)

Prior to this extension, Mitchell had two years remaining on his current contract, with a player option for the second year. This means he could have become a free agent as early as 2025. Given the significant assets Cleveland traded to acquire Mitchell from the Utah Jazz—three first-round picks, two pick swaps, and Lauri Markkanen—re-signing him was the Cavaliers' top priority this offseason.

Maximizing Financial Potential

Mitchell could have signed a maximum extension of four years for $208 million. However, he opted for a 2+1 structure, maximizing his financial potential. By the summer of 2027, Mitchell will have ten years of NBA experience, making him eligible for a contract starting at 35% of the salary cap (up from the current 30%). According to salary cap expert Bobby Marks, this potential deal could be worth up to $380 million over five years, assuming Mitchell declines his player option for the 2027-28 season. The projected salaries for that contract are:

• 2027-28 season: $65.50 million
• 2028-29 season: $70.70 million
• 2029-30 season: $76.00 million
• 2030-31 season: $81.20 million
• 2031-32 season: $86.50 million

If Mitchell maintains his peak performance, he could earn $475 million over the seven seasons from 2025 to 2032. For comparison, LeBron James has earned $485 million over his 21-season career. However, all this hinges on Mitchell maintaining his current level of performance.

Peak Performance

Mitchell’s performance over the past two seasons suggests he is at the peak of his career. In the 2022-23 season, his first with the Cavaliers, he delivered career-best numbers, averaging 28.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, with shooting splits of 48.4%/38.6%/86.7% and a true shooting percentage of 61.4%. During that season, Mitchell had several standout performances, including 13 games with 40+ points (a franchise record) and a 71-point game. He was named an All-Star, made the All-NBA Second Team (a career first), and led the Cavaliers to the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, marking their return to the playoffs for the first time in five years.

In the following season, Mitchell continued his impressive form, averaging 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game with shooting splits of 46.2%/36.8%/86.5% and a true shooting percentage of 59.5%. Although he missed out on an All-NBA selection due to insufficient games played, he was an All-Star for the fifth consecutive year and once again led the Cavaliers to the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Playoff Performance and Future Prospects

In the playoffs, Mitchell played ten games, averaging 29.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, with shooting percentages of 47.6%/35.4%/81.5% and a true shooting percentage of 58.4%. Notably, in the first-round Game 6 and Game 7 against the Orlando Magic, Mitchell scored 50 points and 39 points, respectively, leading the Cavaliers to victory. In the second round against the Boston Celtics, featuring Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, Mitchell averaged 31.7 points in the first three games before being sidelined by injury for the remaining two games.

Mitchell’s stellar performance over the past two years cements his status as the Cavaliers' best player and arguably one of the top 10-15 stars in the league. Offering such a player a max contract extension is a no-brainer. Whether he can secure the subsequent $380 million contract depends largely on his ability to maintain peak performance. Given that Mitchell is only 27 years old, his prime years are likely to last at least another five years. As long as he stays healthy, a max contract seems inevitable, thanks to advancements in medical technology and player conditioning.

Potential Salary Milestones

The prospect of a contract averaging $76 million per year may seem staggering to some fans. However, with the NBA’s new broadcasting deal, the value of max contracts will only increase. Young players like Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards could potentially earn $100 million annually in the future. These astronomical figures will gradually become the norm.

Mitchell’s Place in Cavaliers History

Following Mitchell's contract extension, ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst sparked controversy by suggesting that Mitchell could be the second-greatest player in Cavaliers history, behind only LeBron James. While Kyrie Irving has a championship pedigree, Mitchell has the potential to surpass him. Irving helped the Cavaliers reach three NBA Finals and secured their first championship, but Mitchell’s regular-season performances over the past two years have been arguably superior to any of Irving's seasons with the Cavaliers. However, Mitchell has only played two seasons and has yet to achieve significant postseason success.

Cavaliers’ Future Challenges

With Mitchell’s extension secured, the Cavaliers now face several other significant decisions. These include the future of Darius Garland, potential trades involving Jarrett Allen, and the early extension for Evan Mobley. These decisions will shape the future of the team and determine their championship prospects.

Conclusion

Mitchell’s extension is a significant milestone for the Cavaliers, ensuring they retain their best player for the foreseeable future. His potential future earnings highlight the importance of maintaining peak performance, while the challenges facing the Cavaliers underscore the need for strategic decisions to build a championship-contending team. Whether Mitchell can ultimately secure his place as the second-greatest player in Cavaliers history remains to be seen, but his current trajectory certainly puts him on the right path.