The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently faced with the decision of either extending All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell’s contract or trading him for a wealth of assets. It appears that the former Utah Jazz star might be inclined to sign a new contract for a significant reason.
Mitchell started his NBA career as the 13th pick in the 2017 Draft by the Denver Nuggets but was quickly traded to the Utah Jazz. Although Ben Simmons initially captured the spotlight that year, Mitchell’s performance surged towards the end of the regular season, where he averaged an impressive 20.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
Although Mitchell fell short in the Rookie of the Year race against Simmons, his debut season firmly established him as one of the league’s most electrifying young talents. Despite his individual success, Mitchell faced challenges in leading the Jazz to contention, experiencing consistent playoff eliminations over the years.
As Utah entered a rebuilding phase, Mitchell was traded to the Cavaliers. Although he initially thrived with the team, their recent playoff loss to Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics indicates that Mitchell’s time with the Cavs might be coming to an end.
Throughout 55 games this season, Mitchell averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Unfortunately, a strained calf sidelined him against Boston, which contributed to Cleveland’s playoff elimination.
