DHJ Quick Take: Cavaliers Core Continuity
- Retaining the Core: The Cleveland Cavaliers fully expect to bring back their standout core of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
- Contract Certainty: While Mobley, Allen and Mitchell are already under contract for next season, the franchise has the opportunity to lock Mitchell down long-term with a contract extension this offseason.
- Harden’s Financial Move: To solidify his place in that core group, Harden is anticipated to decline his player option for next season in order to negotiate and sign a fresh, multi-year deal with Cleveland this summer.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to bring back Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
Mobley, Allen and Mitchell are under contract for next season. The Cavaliers can sign Mitchell to an extension this offseason.
Meanwhile, Harden is expected to decline his player option for next season and sign a new deal with Cleveland this summer.
The Cavaliers made the Eastern Conference Finals this year for the first time since 2018. They lost to the New York Knicks in four games.
“I always say two things can be true — we hated the way it ended, we were disappointed with the way it ended,” Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman said during his exit interview. “I think the reason for that is we have higher expectations. We’ve built this thing to a level of standards of excellence, and we know we could be better.
“But the other thing that could be true is we could be proud of what we’ve accomplished here and be proud of what we’ve built — a very, very strong foundation. We believe in the culture that we built. We believe in the players that we have in-house. We have incredible ownership with great resources that helps us achieve in every aspect of this really difficult game that we’re in.”
Starting on July 7, Mitchell can sign an extension with the Cavaliers that adds four years and $277 million to his current deal. Adding four seasons would require Mitchell to decline his player option for the 2027-28 season.
Next season is Mitchell’s 10th in the NBA. If the former Utah Jazz guard waits until next summer for a new contract, the Cavaliers can sign him to a five-year, roughly $352 million deal.
It sounds like the Cavaliers are largely running it back, which would certainly prevent them from trading for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks would undoubtedly want Mobley in a Giannis trade.
Cleveland legend LeBron James becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer for the first time since 2018. James is expected to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers or return to the Cavaliers if he doesn’t retire from the NBA.
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