Report: Mitchell frustrated by Cavs' lack of maturity
Despite helping take the Cavaliers to back-to-back playoff appearances, Donovan Mitchell's two seasons in Cleveland have not been without internal friction.
Mitchell was occasionally frustrated by his teammates' professionalism, taking specific issue with a lack of maturity and preparation for the postseason, sources told Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor. He was also reportedly bothered by an unwillingness to listen by some.
The five-time All-Star scored 26.3 points per game this season, second only to the career-high 28.3 he posted last campaign - his first with the Cavaliers. Though he missed 27 games this season with various injuries, including 18 in the second half of the campaign with a lingering issue in his left knee, he was instrumental during a tough winter stretch in which Cleveland won 14 of 19 games despite missing injured starters Darius Garland and Evan Mobley.
The 2022-23 All-NBA selection later shot down the reports on social media.
Yeah aight 🧢 I’m sick of yall sometimes! https://t.co/B7zdP8APDk
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) May 16, 2024
Mitchell, 27, can opt out of his five-year, $163-million deal at the end of next season to become a free agent for the first time in his career thanks to his $37-million player option.
There's been a growing sentiment within the NBA that Mitchell could extend with Cleveland this summer, The Athletic's Shams Charania, Joe Vardon, and Jason Lloyd reported Wednesday. However, if they can't agree to a new deal by the end of the 2024-25 campaign, the Cavaliers and Mitchell could potentially agree on a new contract entirely during one final, exclusive negotiating window that would occur between the day after the 2025 NBA Finals and the beginning of free agency - a new stipulation in the CBA.
If Mitchell does sign an extension this summer, Garland's agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, reportedly intends to discuss the possibility of trading Garland elsewhere.
The Cavaliers are also seriously deliberating the long-term future of head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. The 45-year-old is reportedly in serious jeopardy of losing his job after four full seasons in charge but just one playoff series win.