![\"Donovan](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2254196959-e1776452376637.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes that the Cleveland Cavaliers will offer Donovan Mitchell the biggest contract possible.<\/p>\n
The Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> are preparing to take on the Toronto Raptors<\/a> in the first round of the NBA Playoffs on Saturday. However, this hasn\u2019t stopped Cleveland from preparing for a highly anticipated offseason involving Donovan Mitchell<\/a>.<\/p>\n Mitchell, 29, will earn $50.1 million in 2026-27 with a $53.8 million player option for 2027-28.<\/a> The Cavs are expected to offer an extension to the franchise superstar. ESPN\u2019s Brian Windhorst mentioned on 5 Good Minutes with Windy<\/a>, saying, \u201cThe first second that is available, they will offer him as big a contract extension as they can offer him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey are gonna hope whether they get to the conference finals and lose on Game 7 at the buzzer or they get knocked out in the first round. They are gonna hope like heck that he signs it,\u201d Windhorst added.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first second that is available, they will offer him as big of a contract extension as they can offer him,\u201d \u2013 @WindhorstESPN<\/a> on the Cavs and Donovan Mitchell. <\/p>\n BRAND NEW \u20185 GOOD MIN WITH WINDY\u2019 episode is LIVE: t.co\/f7qsNxdnJS<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Presented by @truenorthstores<\/a> <\/p>\n Donovan Mitchell\u2019s Value to the Cavaliers<\/p>\n Since being acquired from the Utah Jazz before the start of the 2022-23 season,<\/a> Donovan Mitchell has been the No. 1 guy for the Cleveland Cavaliers from the beginning.<\/p>\n An undersized guard who\u2019s always played bigger than his listing, Mitchell has evolved his game since joining the Cavs. His first year in Cleveland was electric, averaging 28.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. Although these numbers vary by year, Donovan Mitchell had another impressive regular season in 2025-26. In 70 games, he averaged 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists.<\/p>\n A contract offer is expected, but the Cavaliers will consider trading Donovan Mitchell if he declines, The Athletic\u2019s Fred Katz reported.<\/a><\/p>\n The Cavaliers have been a top-four seed in the East in every season with Donovan Mitchell on the roster. This success peaked in 2024-25, finishing as the No. 1 seed in the East<\/a> before being eliminated early in the playoffs. With an improved roster this season, Cleveland will begin the path to the Finals in a four-five matchup against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday.<\/a><\/p>\n Cleveland went out and traded for former NBA MVP James Harden at the trade deadline in February.<\/a> This deal doubled down on the Cavaliers\u2019 now-or-never attitude. Heading into the postseason, Cleveland has one of the best backcourts in the league with Mitchell and Harden.<\/p>\n The duo will also have star-studded help with Evan Mobley<\/a> and Jarrett Allen in the front court. With the majority of Cleveland\u2019s roster being healthy ahead of their first-round series against the Toronto Raptors, there is high expectations for the franchise.<\/p>\n Cavaliers vs. Raptors Preview<\/p>\n Cleveland is expected to have their main core healthy for Game 1 on Saturday. Jarrett Allen will play in Game 1 despite a lingering knee injury.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve had some time off for it to calm down and back to the level where it should be,\u201d Allen told Matthew Gold of NBA.com.<\/a> \u201cIt\u2019s not going to go away immediately, but it\u2019s enough to where I can play at a high level.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Raptors are waiting to hear on the status of starting point guard Immanuel Quickley<\/a>.<\/p>\n Quickley, 26, is listed as questionable for Game 1<\/a> due to a mild hamstring strain. He returned for the Raptors in a limited fashion at the end of the regular season, but it appears that the injury is still affecting his play.<\/p>\n Outside of Quickley, the Raptors are healthy heading into the first round. Brandon Ingram<\/a>, Scottie Barnes, and RJ Barrett will look to lead the way for Toronto in their first playoff appearance since 2022.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tToran Flores<\/a> is a sports reporter located in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He’s covered news in the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, and college sports. His work has been featured on platforms like FanSided, Athlon Sports, The Sporting News, Lakers All Day Everyday, and others.
\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Cavaliers\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t
\n
\nIn his free time, Toran enjoys spending time with family and friends, staying active, and traveling. More about Toran Flores<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n