Shocking Donovan Mitchell rumor about to throw wrench in NBA offseason plans

The Cleveland Cavaliers‘ 2024 playoff run is over following a 113-98 loss to the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. The Donovan Mitchell rumor mill that has already been churning for weeks can now kick into full gear.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks have all been linked to Mitchell, who’s long been expected to decline his player option for the 2025-26 season and become a free agent following the ’24-25 campaign.

It’s also been widely assumed that Mitchell would turn down any contract extension the Cavs offer, forcing Cleveland to potentially trade him this summer or risk losing him for nothing.

But in the words of famous college football analyst Lee Corso, not so fast my friends.

A slew of interesting news has flooded out of Cleveland since the team’s Game 5 loss, not all of it positive for teams attempting to go star-chasing this offseason.

Donovan Mitchell rumor addresses future with Cleveland Cavaliers

First, Cleveland Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s future was called into question shortly after the Cavs’ playoff exit.

Next came news that it could be Darius Garland, not Mitchell, who requests a trade.

And that Garland rumor came on the heels of some surprising news about Mitchell’s status in Cleveland.

Per Shams Charania, Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, the 27-year-old could actually sign a long-term extension to remain with the Cavaliers:

There is a growing sentiment around the league that the Cavaliers will be able to position themselves to receive (Mitchell’s) commitment for a lucrative contract extension that would keep him in Cleveland. … Teammates have described Mitchell this season as singularly focused on winning and wanting Cleveland to aim much higher than a first-round series victory for its measure of success.

It would be an offseason game-changer if the five-time All-Star re-upped with the Cavs. The Lakers, Knicks, Heat, Nets and other teams interested in making a move for Mitchell would need to pivot to Plan B, which could further a chaotic upcoming summer.

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