Donovan Mitchell has agreed to a contract extension worth $273 million over four years. This is the full max, and one that includes a player option for the 2030-31 season. Shams Charania of ESPN was the first to report the news. Now that the extension is done, what’s the outlook for the Cavaliers, and is Mitchell worth the money?

Final Grade: Is Donovan Mitchell Worth It?

Donovan Mitchell contract extension Cleveland cavaliers
May 23, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts in the third quarter against the New York Knicks during game three of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Mitchell will be 34 when this contract is up. The likelihood of this becoming one of the worst contracts in the sport just five years from now is extremely high. He will be paid $75 million in 2030.

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Mitchell is a fantastic player, but the contract is just such a horrible move for so many reasons. It would make sense if he were a few years younger, but the last seasons of this extension will be horrible to eat for Cleveland.

It would have hurt, but trading Mitchell for assets appears to have been the best move. Don’t handicap yourself with this contract; make another team do it.

Grade: D+

Cleveland Cavaliers Outlook

Donovan Mitchell contract extension Cleveland cavaliers
May 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half in game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Cavaliers will be severely handicapped with this move. They have no flexibility with their roster and will be in real trouble in 2030. They need to get a championship within the first few seasons of this extension. If they don’t, they will be set back for years with an extension.

It may seem crazy to say, but right now the only thing that could save this contract is LeBron James. If he signs in Cleveland and wins another championship, who cares if the contract is bad a few years down the line? The issue with that plan is the number of “ifs” in there.

End Of My Donovan Mitchell Contract Extension Rant

Donovan Mitchell contract extension Cleveland cavaliers
May 21, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) controls the ball against the New York Knicks during the second quarter of game two of the eastern conference finals of the 2026 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Mitchell is a great player who performs best when the lights are the brightest. The contract is just too crazy to understand how Cleveland will be able to function with this money on the books. If it were for a top-five level player or a recent MVP winner, it would make some sense. Instead, they get a top 15 player who will be earning close to $75 million when he is 34 years old.