“Always welcomed in NYC”: Rival fans hyped after Donovan Mitchell’s non-committal stance on extension 

Despite joining the team before the 2022-23 NBA season and leading them to the playoffs as a fourth seed for the first time since 1998, Donovan Mitchell’s non-committal stance on signing an extension has sparked speculation of his potential departure from Cleveland.

Despite facing challenges, the Cavaliers have continued to thrive under the leadership of Mitchell and are currently vying for a top-two or top-three seed. Holding a record of 45-29 with eight games remaining, they currently sit at third place in the standings. Cleveland has made strategic moves to ensure Mitchell has a strong supporting cast for a playoff push.

When asked recently about Mitchell’s contract extension potential, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert also appeared confident.

“We’ve been talking to him, sure, for the last couple of years about extending this contract,” Gilbert told the Associated Press on Thursday. “We think he will extend. I think if you listen to him talk, he loves the city.

“He loves the situation in Cleveland because our players are very young and we’re just kind of putting the core together that he’s clearly the biggest part of.”

Nevertheless, Mitchell may not share the same sentiment regarding the situation.

“My focus is — I’ve got a lot of things to focus on outside of that right now. I’ve got to focus on myself, getting back for this group, focus on us getting over this stretch, continuing to be ready when it comes time,”Mitchell told reporters on Saturday (via NBA reporter Erik Slater).

When asked about it again, Donovan Mitchell stated that his response would remain the same. Although it is typical for players to avoid making commitments to contract extensions, Mitchell’s recent remarks have sparked excitement among rival fanbases and raised speculation about his future.

“Donovan Mitchell always welcomed in NYC to play for the Knicks”

Additional reactions ensued:

Latest updates on Donovan Mitchell’s contract negotiations and potential trade rumors

Despite having two more years remaining on his current contract, Donovan Mitchell also holds a player option for the 2024-25 season. He is set to earn $32.6 million this year and $34.8 million next year. It is expected that he will decline his $37 million player option if an extension is not signed before then.

If the Cavaliers are unable to reach an agreement on an extension, Mitchell will become a free agent in the 2025 offseason. This will allow him to choose which team he wants to join, while the Cavs will likely receive nothing in return.

Despite the possibility of Cleveland pushing for a trade, Georges Niang, who was previously Mitchell’s teammate in Utah and is now on the Cavs, remains optimistic about the 27-year-old’s potential to stay with the team long-term. Niang believes that the “vibe”in Cleveland is similar to their time together in Utah, where Mitchell had expressed interest in staying with the Jazz for the long haul.

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