Donovan Mitchell is eligible for a contract extension and the Cleveland Cavaliers are planning to offer him a deal similar to Jalen Brunson's $156 million extension with the New York Knicks.
What is the proposed deal?
The proposed deal is a four-year $272 million extension, which would give the Cavaliers more room to build a strong roster around Mitchell.
The Cavaliers are currently thin on money to spend on players, but signing Mitchell to a team-friendly deal could help them get under the second apron.
How does this compare to Jalen Brunson's deal?
Jalen Brunson signed a four-year $104 million contract with the Knicks in 2022 and then signed a four-year $156 million extension in 2024, which made him the Finals MVP in 2026.
Brunson's deal was considered team-friendly, and the Knicks rewarded him by making multiple blockbuster trades to build a championship-caliber team.
What are the implications for the Cavaliers?
If Mitchell signs the proposed deal, it would give the Cavaliers more flexibility to build a strong roster around him, but if he waits until the end of his contract, he could make $352 million, which would leave the Cavaliers with limited financial resources.
The Cavaliers are also planning to trade point guard Dennis Schroder and his contract, and James Harden has expressed willingness to take less money to help the team get under the second apron.
Donovan Mitchell has spoken about his love for Cleveland and wanting to stay with the team, so he may be open to signing a team-friendly deal.
The Cavaliers' front office, led by Koby Altman, needs to convince Mitchell to sign the deal this offseason to avoid the risk of him leaving the team in the future.
As of 2026, the Cavaliers are looking to get back to the NBA Finals, and signing Mitchell to a team-friendly deal could be a key step in achieving that goal.