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• Updated May 29, 2026 at 9:52pm

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Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers stares after an NBA game.

After the Cleveland Cavaliers were swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, plenty of speculation surrounded Donovan Mitchell.

Speaking to Andscape’s Marc J. Spears, Mitchell made things clear about his future with the Cavaliers.

“I feel like this has been a consistent theme every single season I’ve been here and I thought it would go away once I signed the first extension, but here we are,” Mitchell said. “I love it here, I see growth, I see a runway. I believe, I’ve made Cleveland home. Outside of just basketball, I don’t want to go.”

Mitchell is eligible for a contract extension this offseason. He led the Cavs to their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2018, but they were outmatched by the Knicks.

It was also his first conference finals, so it was a disappointing end to their season.

Cavs GM on Donovan Mitchell’s Extension

GettyDonovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in action against the New York Knicks during Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 2026 in New York City.

In his end of season media availability, Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman answered questions about their plans this offseason.

Altman was a bit baffled by the notion that Donovan Mitchell might not be with the team soon. He wanted the Cavs fanbase to know that they plan on extending Mitchell’s contract.

“Donovan is our guy,” Altman said on Friday, via Cleveland.com. “He’s elevated everything about this franchise and this organization, so when he professes his love for being here, we’re fortunate to have him and we’ll work out those details when it comes time.”

The Cavs can offer Mitchell a whopping four-year, $272 million extension this summer.

However, the seven-time All-Star could also wait out the summer of 2027, when he becomes eligible for a five-year, $350 million deal. He could even get a no-trade clause as part of that bigger contract.

Donovan Mitchell Defends James Harden

GettyDonovan Mitchell #45 and James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers react against the Toronto Raptors during the fourth quarter in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 01, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

While Donovan Mitchell played well in the Eastern Conference Finals, James Harden looked like a shell of his former self.

Some people blamed Harden for the Cavaliers’ lackluster performances against the Knicks.

However, Mitchell defended his teammate during his interview with Andscape.

“I’ve watched him for nine years,” Mitchell said, via Newsweek. “I’ve watched it, and to see it firsthand, the work ethic, the passion, the IQ, the leadership, the man just gets a bad rep. And I talked about how he changed the game and all that stuff, but he did. Yeah, sure, has he had some rough moments? I’m sure we all have.”

Mitchell even brought up Michael Jordan and LeBron James, who have had their fair share of playoff failures.

However, Jordan and James overcame them to win a combined 10 NBA championships. Harden, on the other hand, has only made the NBA Finals once in his 17-year career.