Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cavs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are all in on the Donovan Mitchell business. They’ve shown a total commitment to Mitchell as their franchise cornerstone, inking him to a max contract extension worth nearly $300 million dollars.
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We want to hear your reaction.
Mitchell is set to make $272 million dollars during his four-year extension, which starts in 2027. He’ll make more than $60 million a year, with a gargantuan $75.5 million dollar player option for the 2031-31 NBA season.
Here’s a year-by-year breakdown of the deal.
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2030-31 (player option): $75.5 million
Mitchell will be 34 years old by the time he reaches that player option. Causing some to question if this deal could have a bittersweet ending with an undersized and aging guard.
Nonetheless, Cleveland isn’t surprising anyone with this decision. They’ve held Mitchell as their most important asset for years, prioritizing his needs above everyone else on the roster. He’s their guy, and this extension is another sign of commitment.
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Mitchell’s value speaks for itself. At face value, you’re looking at a player who could finish his career as the second-best Cavalier in franchise history. That’s the type of guy you don’t want to lowball. Cleveland hasn’t had many superstar athletes who have embraced the city more than Mitchell himself.
Finally, there’s one more thing for you to take into account before answering our question.
Mitchell could have waited one more year to sign this extension. In that case, he could have secured a fifth year of the deal worth $80 million dollars. I don’t want to predict the future, but I doubt Mitchell can negotiate his way to an $80 million dollar payday in 2032. So, you can argue he took a significant pay cut in the backend of this extension to grant stability and peace of mind to everyone involved.
Mitchell didn’t delay. He signed the extension as soon as possible, and saved the Cavs money in the long run. That’s important to remember.
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Now, I leave the decision in your hands, Fear the Sword reader. Was this the right move for Cleveland?
