Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell Uncertainty About Contract Extension Sparks Miami Heat Trade Rumors

Anthony Pasciolla | Mar 30, 2024

Mar 16, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45); Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Superstar guard Donovan Mitchell is in the midst of a second dominant year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but his future with the organization remains up in the air.

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has full confidence that Mitchell will sign an extension, but the five-time All-Star shared otherwise. These conflicting statements are leading to social media buzz around him joining Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat in the near future. Mitchell has been linked with the Heat on multiple occasions the past few years, but his uncertainty about a contract extension raises more questions than before.

“We’ve been talking to him, sure, for the last couple of years about extending this contract,” Cavs owner Dan Gilbert said Thursday an interview with The Associated Press. “We think he will extend. I think if you listen to him talk, he loves the city.

“Too early. There are a lot of things to focus on outside of that right now, to be honest. I’ll handle that when it comes to... I understand you gotta ask that question," Mitchell said in response to Gilbert's comment. "We’re going out there trying to find ways to win a championship."

Mitchell has dealt with multiple minor injuries throughout the season but is averaging 27.1 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.3 rebounds on 46.6 percent shooting. His level of play could boost the Heat among championship favorites in the coming years, joining the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Denver Nuggets..

His contract extends through the end of the 2025 season before he is faced with a player option. If Mitchell refuses to sign an extension, the Cavaliers' front office may consider trading him with the Heat as a potential suitor.

Anthony Pasciolla is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He can be reached atampasciolla@gmail.comor follow him on Instagram@anthony.pasciolla