Per Fred Katz (The Athletic) from a big piece on the Cavs published today:
The Cavaliers, who begin their playoff journey Saturday when they play Game 1 of their first-round series against the Toronto Raptors, are hoping to inspire the same reaction, that joyous shock, from the NBA world that Harden received from Wade. If they don’t, changes could come. Such is the way of the league today, when circumstances force organizations into big decisions not long into their timelines.
Cleveland is expensive, the only team to cross the second-apron payroll threshold this season and in danger of doing the same in 2026-27 — unless it edits its roster on the margins.
Or maybe in the center of it.
Mitchell and Mobley are each on max contracts. Allen’s extension, which hands him an $8 million raise, kicks in next season. Max Strus, Dennis Schröder and Sam Merrill each make eight figures or close to it in 2026-27.
However Cleveland fares over these next two months will mold its future.
Harden has a $42 million player option for next season that he’s likely to decline, a league source said. But a longer-term deal at a lesser number still would not be cheap. With today’s rules, with the way high payrolls chip away at resources and wallets, teams can’t stay so expensive while continuing to lose in the second round. Meanwhile, Mitchell, who can hit free agency in 2027, becomes eligible for an extension this summer.If he signs it, the Cavs can move forward with him at their core. If he doesn’t, the organization will discuss the possibility of moving him, league sources said.
Link to full article (no sub required)
FWIW Katz is a respected NBA reporter/insider, so I'd assume he has good sources for this.
18 comments
I’d be incredibly surprised if he didn’t sign an extension, chip or no chip.
Knicks reporter btw
i mean either way this is probably their last shot at it. too many disappointing results. they’ve got to make a deep run this season
I don’t think any other team is gonna pay as much as we are willing to.
I think it depends on how deep we go
Reports like this are so strange. The front offices of every team probably discuss every scenario, its the entire reason they exist.
Im sure the Memphis Grizzlies are discussing a package to get giannis right now, because why not.
Let the media try to toss out distractions and sow discord right as the playoffs start. The offseason is the offseason — we will have plenty of time to discuss what’s next once we get to the end of the playoffs.
This obsession over knowing the future before we’ve even experienced the present (which will dramatically impact the future!!) is so dumb and exhausting. We do this with starting QBs too before camp battles have even happened. They play the games for a reason.
NBA free agency is dead (thanks Silver) – you take the money now then worry about dictating trades later
This time around I wouldn’t be mad if we trade him clearly if we can’t get past the second round he’s not the man I just wish we would of traded Garland for a real small forward like franz from the magic or that guy that’s plays for Portland that came from Washington
It’s too early for this
Every year these reporters write article after article about how X star player wants to leave Cleveland.
In other news water is wet
regardless of source, if Mitchell isn’t looking to extend then obviously CLE should be looking to move them. They should be considering it even if he is.
Actually brunson is coming to the Cavs. Talked to him personally.
Nothing to see here folks, just another national reporter trying to stir things up to lure a player to their team.
The Athletic should definitely not be trusted as Russini was one of the main people reporting dysfunction between AJ Browns and the Eagles.
All the while she’s having an affair with the head coach of one of the top destinations Brown would land.
Media playing nasty games.
I’m surprised anyone here is shocked to read this. If he chooses not to extend, you have to move him. You can’t just lose him for nothing.
Moving DG’s contract didn’t suddenly make our team cheap. Extending Mitchell, Harden, and Ellis is going to be a massive tab if that’s what they choose to do.
Don may have to take a long look in the mirror. If he really thinks he can get a better roster somewhere else and lead that team further, than I guess he should…I just don’t think that team is out there.
Don will be around at least another season after this one, but we can’t let him walk for nothing…he’d get back some assets to build around guys like Ev,Tyson, Proctor and even Allen, though he’s older than all of those guys — or we look to move Allen to and pile up assets/picks and start over…
I still believe no matter what, Harden gets a contract, and LeBron gets a retirement tour here with this this squad. He still has value to add to a team as a third/4th option.. beyond next year, who knows.
It’s on Don to make it happen. He needs to be playing his best ball ever, he’s our #1.
I worry about the Raptors a bit with their defense and transition game. They’re long and can do a lot of switching by having Barnes out there…could be a really long series…but here’s to Cavs in 4.
I mean, no shit they will discuss it? Even if they win the championship, a good front office should talk about every scenario to keep a competitive roster, now and future.
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