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Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are set for their playoff curtain raiser against the Toronto Raptors, but they will have one eye placed on what the offseason might unfold.

Speculation is intensifying around LeBron James’ impending free agency this summer, and one player whose future they will need to discuss is Donovan Mitchell.

James, 41, is in the final year of his contract after exercising his player option for the 2025-26 season. Various reports have pegged the four-time MVP for a potential homecoming to Cleveland for his last dance.

Cleveland Will Evaluate its Options on Donovan Mitchell

Mitchell is eligible for a new contract this summer and multiple league sources indicate that the Cavaliers are open to welcoming back James in a mid-level deal or even a veteran minimum deal.

According to Fred Katz of The Athletic, the possibility of that hinges on whether or not they sign the papers with Mitchell. They are not willing to risk it for nothing in 2027 free agency. 

“Meanwhile, Mitchell, who can hit free agency in 2027, becomes eligible for an extension this summer. If he signs it, the Cavs can move forward with him at their core. If he doesn’t, the organization will discuss the possibility of moving him, league sources said,” Katz wrote.

Mitchell, 29, joined the Cavaliers in 2022 after the Utah Jazz decided to questionably trade him. He had led them to the overall best record in the league in the 2020-21 season but they decided that they could move on without him.

Cleveland jumped at the opportunity to sign a high-profile guard after falling into mediocrity post-James’ second stint. They have gotten their money’s worth with Mitchell which was evident last year when they finished No. 1 in the Eastern Conference

Star Guard is Still Highly Valued in Cleveland 

In 70 games this season, Mitchell averaged 27.9 points per game on 48.3% shooting, his best season since his first year in Cleveland, and he earned another potential All-NBA nod. The franchise will be in the playoffs this year, making it every season now since Mitchell arrived having previously missed out in five years.

Cleveland now has a much more solid core of Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and James Harden, who was acquired at the deadline as they dealt Darius Garland. The plan has always been to build around Mitchell since he joined and that hasn’t changed at all.

“The Cavaliers are eager not to get to that point [Of trading Mitchell]. They love Mitchell, who will make yet another All-NBA team after another spectacular season. And there is zero evidence that Mitchell wants to be elsewhere. But such is the way of the league these days, when windows are only so long, which is why Cleveland’s window is now, when Eastern Conference favorite changes depending on who you ask,” Katz wrote.

That sense of urgency is down to the rumors about James’ future. He has deep roots in Northeast Ohio, having delivered the franchise’s only championship in 2016 during his second stint. 

Cleveland has been reportedly dubbed the “most likely” landing spot for the Lakers’ superstar if he chooses to play beyond this season. The Cavaliers have already made a big move with the Harden trade, which shows their intent on entering a win-now window. Adding James will make it official, but the financial implications aren’t favorable, hence the talk of moving Mitchell.

However, their best shot of a championship lies in having Mitchell in the team. That shot will start this weekend when the Raptors come to town for Game 1.