Cleveland Cavaliers sealed a four‑year, $273 million extension with Donovan Mitchell on May 25, 2026, yet the deal instantly landed on Dan Favale’s list of the NBA’s worst contracts.
What happened?
The 27‑year‑old guard put his signature on the massive extension after the Cavs fell 93‑130 to the New York Knicks on May 26, 2026. Favale, writing for Bleacher Report, placed Mitchell’s contract at No. 6 among the league’s eight worst deals, trailing only contracts for Joel Embiid, Trae Young, Paul George, De’Aaron Fox and Devin Booker. He argued that Mitchell’s advancing age and limited playmaking raise doubts about long‑term value.
Why it matters for Cleveland Cavaliers?
Cavaliers fans hoped the new deal would lock in a franchise cornerstone, but the timing clashes with a disastrous stretch: recent form (last 5) reads 0W‑0D‑5L, with each loss coming by double‑digit margins. The team’s offensive rating dipped whenever Mitchell played without James Harden, exposing his sub‑par passing out of the paint. Favale noted the Cavs posted a higher offensive rating in the playoffs when Mitchell was off the floor, a pattern that repeats from the previous postseason.
How does the contract stack up?
At $273 million, the deal averages $68.25 million per season, making Mitchell the highest‑paid guard on the roster. The contract’s length pushes him toward 30 years old by its final year, a point Favale flagged as risky. The Cavs’ cap flexibility shrinks, limiting options to add a defensive specialist or a true floor‑general.
What’s next for the franchise?
Cleveland must decide whether to build around Mitchell’s scoring punch or pivot to a more balanced roster. The front office could explore trade scenarios that bring a high‑IQ playmaker, but any move would have to respect the massive contract sitting on the books. Meanwhile, the team’s next game will test whether the new deal fuels a turnaround or deepens the current losing streak.
Fan reaction and media buzz
Social media erupted after the announcement, with many fans questioning the wisdom of a deal that could “age like milk,” a phrase borrowed from Favale’s column. Analysts on ESPN and The Athletic echoed concerns, pointing to the Cavs’ inability to close games without a reliable secondary ball‑handler. The narrative now centers on whether Mitchell can evolve into a more versatile creator and whether Cleveland can surround him with the pieces needed for a playoff push.
The Cavs’ front office faces a tight window: improve the roster before the contract’s final year or risk watching a once‑elite scorer become a financial albatross.